Assam PWD Computerisation Project (APCP)

Need for the projectAssam has the potential to be among the better states in the country –Rich in natural resources - oil, tea, hydro-power, coal, tourism, etc.

Geographical advantage of being the gateway of NE India plus the potential to be the business hub of South Asia from China to Indonesia & Singapore owing to the land route it offers.

The state however slipped from being among the richer states in 1950s to be the 4th

poorest in first part of 2000.

The downslide now appears to be arrested and the state is poised for a good economic growth, which it needs to accelerate.

But why computerise Assam PWD?• A well-developed road & public buildings infrastructure is prerequisite

for socio-economic development, not only for Assam but anywhere in the world. Socio-economic development is presently Assam’s crying need.

• Capacity improvement of the organization for delivering the infrastructure need is of paramount importance.

• Infrastructure development being costly and financial resources being limited, efficient utilisation of financial resources has to be ensured.

• A quantum improvement in the functioning of the PWD is thereforeindispensable. The core operational processes has to be revitalisedusing modern day systems for delivering the need timely, efficiently and transparently.

• Also, the PWD also has to stand up to call for RTI, IT policy of the state and e-governance in Assam.

Guiding principles of APCP

The objective of Assam PWD Computerisation Project (APCP) is to strengthen PWD by providing an efficient and transparent functioning system and increase its capacity to construct and maintain a well developed road, bridge and building infrastructure in Assam.

The aim of Assam PWD Computerisation Project (APCP) is to usher in a quantum improvement in the functioning of the Assam PWD by computerizing it in a modern way so that the public works can be delivered timely and cost effectively ensuring optimum utilization of resources for socio-economic development of the state.

The mission of Assam PWD Computerisation Project (APCP) is to provide the department with an IT based system integration and facilitate online operations of department’s processes so that the whole department can operate on one single standardized platform, leaving interfaces for future integration of engineering intensive modules pertaining to road, bridge & building as also other modules to be developed by Govt. of Assam.

Computerisation leading to …Standardized work activities.

Efficient work flow processes for approvals, lesser paper works and clear lines of communication.

Database with easy accessibility both by the Directorate and field offices for all project related information and reporting.

Improved project management including planning, scheduling, contract supervision, execution and resource utilization.

Improved Road Maintenance Management.

Improved procurement and vendor management.

Reduction in geographical movement within the state for frequentmeetings and report submission particularly EEs and SEs.

Transparency in the activities of the Department with provision for enabling public interface.

Improved services to the other GOA Departments and Administration.

Computerisation in a structured way• Conceptualisation of the project

• Project implementation study

• Undertake pilot implementation

– Pilot implementation focusing on developing an integrated organization wide system software.

– The system software is for facilitating on-line operations of the department’s core operational processes in the field of Project Management and related Project Cost Accounting, Project Resource Management and Roads Maintenance Management is achieved. The software includes emailing solutions.

– Provide ancillary hardware and networking for online operations with the new improved system in (12) remote locations.

– Develop skill of the staffs for using the new system.– Start live online operations and allow the software to stabilise.

• Roll out the pilot phase across the department

Status/achievements of the project• The Assam PWD Computerisation Project (APCP) is physically complete

with ERP having been successfully deployed in Assam PWD at a competitive cost and the stipulated time. The system is live andtransactions through the system has started. Financial progress: 64%

• The key objective of developing the system software in this pilot phase for facilitating on-line operations of the department’s processes in the field of Project Management and related Project Cost Accounting, Project Resource Management and Roads Maintenance Management is achieved. The software includes emailing solutions.

• 12 office cluster regions having 43 PWD field offices have been connected and web communication between the offices is in operation.

• Installation of the ancillary hardware and networking equipment to pilot the system software is complete and are in operation.

• State-of-the-art Data Centre established and is in operation. It now facilitates as a communication hub for 12 of department’s office campuses in and around Guwahati including the PWD headquarter housing the office of the Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads) Assam, the PWD Secretariat and four office clusters two in Nagaon and two in Nalbari districts.

• 2000+ mandays of basic computer training and about 600 mandays of application training have been completed.

What next?• As an immediate priority a minimum threshold connectivity is

required to the PWD offices already connected under the pilot phase.

• Around 221 connectivity points along with the associated communication equipment, 225 software user licenses and 153 PCs are required for the minimum threshold connectivity. The estimated cost is Rs. 2.75 crore.

• Facility management services requires outsourcing and at an early date as the department do not have an IT Cell or any IT staff.

• Functionality enhancement like HR, GIS are to be added.

• Proposals for connecting all the NEC offices and NH offices havebeen readied.

• With APCP having completed its pilot phase, it is time to roll it out across the department in a phased manner.

Thank You