Tenure: August 2015 - May 2017 (1 year 10 months)
He managed local governance and development projects, ensuring community welfare and successfully implementing various initiatives.
During my tenure as Collector of Bilaspur District, I had the opportunity to work on initiatives that aimed to address complex governance challenges while promoting inclusivity. Two initiatives that stood out were the use of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) technology for land dispute resolution and the effort to make Bilaspur more accessible for individuals with disabilities, also known as creating a "Divyang-Friendly" environment.
Land disputes in unplanned urban areas are often contentious and long-standing, especially when dealing with very small patches of land. Such disputes typically arise due to unclear property boundaries, missing land records, or decades-old encroachments. In Bilaspur, these disputes were a major source of grievances, and resolving them was crucial to ensuring social harmony and enabling further urban development.
To address this issue, I led an initiative to use DGPS technology for land demarcation, making Bilaspur one of the first districts to experiment with this approach for resolving land disputes. DGPS provided an accurate and reliable method for identifying precise boundaries, allowing us to resolve disagreements over land ownership efficiently and transparently. Unlike conventional survey techniques, DGPS offered centimeter-level accuracy, which was crucial for small and irregularly shaped urban plots. The introduction of this technology not only expedited the resolution process but also built public trust by providing clear, scientifically-backed demarcations.
The success of this initiative was evident in the outcomes: long-pending disputes that had plagued communities for years were settled in a matter of weeks. The use of advanced technology helped reduce ambiguity and minimize conflict, fostering a sense of fairness among residents. As a result, people were able to reclaim their land rights, invest in improvements, and contribute to the city’s growth without the fear of prolonged legal battles. This was a significant step forward in urban governance, providing a replicable model for other regions facing similar issues.
Another initiative that I am particularly proud of was making Bilaspur more accessible for persons with disabilities—an effort aimed at creating a "Divyang-Friendly" environment. Accessibility and inclusivity are essential components of a progressive society, yet they are often overlooked in infrastructure planning. During my time as Collector, I wanted to ensure that public spaces were welcoming and usable for all citizens, including those with disabilities.
Our efforts involved retrofitting public buildings, parks, and other infrastructure to ensure accessibility. Ramps, handrails, tactile paths, and other essential features were added to make the city infrastructure compliant with accessibility standards. We conducted accessibility audits of major government buildings, schools, and healthcare facilities, and made necessary modifications based on the audit findings. This initiative required close coordination with various stakeholders, including architects, NGOs, and advocacy groups for people with disabilities, to ensure that the measures taken were comprehensive and effective.
Bilaspur’s efforts were recognized with an award from the Honorable President of India in 2016. This acknowledgment was not just for the administration but also for the collective efforts of the people of Bilaspur who contributed to creating a more inclusive city. The "Divyang-Friendly" initiative not only improved physical access to public spaces but also changed the perception of disability—encouraging inclusivity and raising awareness about the importance of equal access for all.
Both these initiatives—using DGPS for land dispute resolution and promoting accessibility in Bilaspur—reflect my belief in the power of innovation and inclusivity. Technology can be a powerful tool in governance, helping solve long-standing issues in a fair and transparent way, while inclusive policies ensure that the benefits of development reach every segment of society. Together, these initiatives aimed to make Bilaspur a more equitable and progressive city, setting an example of how local governance can be both innovative and compassionate.