Basit Ali Rajput
Srinagar 14 July (KNB): Despite being launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha a few days ago, ‘mySrinagar’ App which promises several important services for the people of the City as well as visiting tourist, has not been made available on any of the most commonly used App Stores.
Launched on Saturday (10th of July), the mobile application, as per officials, integrates all available e-services offered by various departments, tourism related information in both offline and online mode, including emergency helpline services.
Ironically, when people of the valley, especially Srinagarites browsed through the Google Play Store and App Store—most commonly used android and IOS based application downloading platform—‘mySrinagar’ app was nowhere to be found.
As per officials, the app will enable users to access more than 40 services from various line departments including 20 Srinagar Municipal Services. For ease of access by the people, LG Manoj Sinha also directed the officials to collaborate with the concerned departments and integrate services like Building permissions, Electricity, and Water connections with the mobile application.
It has been 4 days since the official launch ‘mySrinagar’ app and its unavailability on app stores has raised doubts among the general public about the claims of the Government to develop the Srinagar into world class modern, sustainable and vibrant city.
A resident of downtown, Srinagar told KNB that he found it funny once going through the app stores and finding out ‘mySrinagar’ app has not been made available yet.
He said, “Just like in the past, tall claims have been made but clearly, I can say in this case, on e-grounds the reality is not just disappointing but worth having a laugh about.”
A day after the launch of the app, prominent journalist from the valley, Riyaz Masroor, while retweeting a news story regarding the launch of the App as well as tagging LG Manoj Sinha and SMC Commissioner Athar Amir Khan, said “The Lt Governor also launched the ‘mySrinagar’ Mobile App. But the fact is the App is not in App Store plus 30% #Srinagar suffers shortage of drinking water.”
“What do you mean by launched?” he asked.
However, regarding the matter Kashmir News Bureau contacted Commissioner SMC, Athar Amir Khan, who said that the mobile application has been made available for download on the official website of Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
“‘mySrinagar’ app can be downloaded from the Srinagar Smart City portal as well as the SMC’s official website”, Commissioner SMC said, adding that It has also been uploaded on App Store, however google takes a few days for verification before making it available for downloads.
He said that the app was made available on both the said portals on the launch day only. (KNB