The chatbot the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) started to register complaints about solid waste, has not worked since it was launched on Monday. Activists claim it was just a publicity stunt. BMC officials, however, said they are updating the system and it will restart in two to three  days.

After Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s order, the BMC started an online complaint system for solid waste management on June 5. But people have been unable to register complaints through the chatbot. “I tried to file a complaint about garbage on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road near Wadala railway station. However, it did not get lodged. It seems the chatbot is just a publicity stunt. If the civic administration is not ready with a system, then why do they announce it?” said Nikhil Desai, an activist from Matunga, on Tuesday.