Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has started installing a digital address system based on NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. The initiative helps with digital record-keeping of addresses and government operations.
Ward Chairman and Coordinator of the Metropolitan City’s Good Governance Committee, Khyamraj Tiwari, inaugurated the installation of a digital address system with the number plate ’09-Laksha Dravya 6111′ at the ward office in Lainchaur.
After the ward office, digital address-equipped number plates will be installed in other areas in Alka Basti Marg, Lainchaur Marg, and other areas. Ward Office No. 26 has started work by issuing a tender in the fiscal year 2081/82 to purchase and install a digital address system. Its total estimated cost is Rs. 45 lakh.
The target is to install the system in the ward, which has a population of 6,850 houses, by mid-2082 Kartik. The work contract has been awarded to JBS Infrastructure.
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The NFC-enabled address plates
The new address plates come with QR codes and a chipset, but they still retain the old addresses and road names. According to ward chairman Tiwari, the connected address plates come with a universal Google Plus code and a Nepali local code. The homeowners only need to send a photo of the plate. After scanning the QR code on the plate, the location can be reached.
The NFC address plate contains the customer number related to services such as water supply, electricity, internet, and other utilities. It’s a unique ID on each plate, so it is not repeated on another address plate.
The guests coming to the house with the NFC address plate can use it as a doorbell. Houseowners can use the digital address plate for providing information about garbage collection, conducting any survey, and disseminate information from the local level.
The inclusion of digital technologies in governance promotes public participation and helps achieve transparency and efficiency. Tiwari said that the plan is to expand this service to many wards in the near future.
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It is a situation where they receive services from the place where they live. Many things can be done on this basis. This technology will also be expanded to other wards,” said Tiwari.