13 May,2026 08:15 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. FILE PIC
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is witnessing an increasing preference among citizens for its WhatsApp chatbot service on 8291920504, with thousands of residents using the digital platform for civic services, payments and public welfare-related information.
The civic body said the chatbot has emerged as a highly effective and prompt digital governance initiative, enabling citizens to access municipal services round-the-clock without visiting ward offices or civic headquarters.
According to NMMC, a total of 113 services are now available online, including 68 notified public services and 45 additional civic facilities. Citizens can access services ranging from birth and death certificates to construction permit-related documents through the WhatsApp chatbot.
One of the major highlights of the platform is the online property tax and water bill payment facility. Residents can directly pay civic dues through the chatbot-linked payment system. The platform also functions as an AI assistant for over 50 public welfare schemes of the Social Development Department.
The chatbot is available in both Marathi and English, making it accessible to a wider section of citizens.
NMMC officials said more than three lakh citizens have been contacted through personal mobile messages encouraging them to pay property tax through the chatbot platform. Messages regarding the Abhay Yojana were also sent to over one lakh tax defaulters, while another one lakh residents received appeals to participate in the Swachh Survekshan feedback process.
Currently, NMMC is also using the platform to encourage participation in Census 2027 activities.
According to civic officials, around Rs 10 crore was collected through the WhatsApp payment system in March 2026 alone, while the message dissemination cost was only around Rs 60,000. Nearly 7,000 to 8,000 users completed payments directly through the WhatsApp payment link, while more than one lakh residents used the chatbot for assistance related to property tax payments.
Available 24x7, the chatbot service allows citizens to access information, make payments and seek civic assistance even after office hours, at night and during public holidays.
Civic officials said the growing usage reflects Navi Mumbai citizens' increasing trust in digital governance systems that save time, labour and physical visits to government offices.
