Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde has directed officials to digitise the entire process of welfare schemes, from application submission to the transfer of benefits into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

The civic body currently provides 141 services online, including 68 government-mandated public services. Shinde instructed departments to bring all welfare schemes for women, children, students, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and disadvantaged communities onto the online platform to ensure easier access.

He also directed officials to digitise bookings for civic halls, playgrounds and other spaces, including the process of refunding security deposits. The health department was instructed to strengthen online medicine stock monitoring and ensure strict accountability.

To curb theft of electrical equipment and cables from streetlight poles, Shinde called for expanding CCTV surveillance and exploring additional preventive measures.

He also ordered intensified action to clear footpaths, relocate licensed stalls to alternative spaces and remove unauthorised stalls. Officials were asked to geo-tag footpaths and inspect their height and roadside water drainage structures.

To control air pollution, the commissioner stressed mechanised sweeping and brushing along major roads, including the Sion-Panvel Highway, Thane-Belapur Road and Palm Beach Road. Debris squads and the Regional Transport Office were asked to tighten checks on uncovered construction-material transport vehicles.

Ahead of Diwali, officials were directed to issue guidelines to curb noise and air pollution caused by firecrackers. Department heads must also review public grievances weekly and ensure timely responses to Right to Information applications.