With overwhelming victory in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee’s councillors are zeroing in on innovative ways of reaching out to the people. One of them is the idea of drop boxes.

This was the brainchild of Shibnath Ghosh, Trinamool councillor of ward number 3 in Belgachia. The ward was a CPM stronghold and the Trinamool had won in the area for the first time.

“Previously, there was no easy way a resident could communicate with his or her councillor,” said Ghosh. “Now residents will be able to air their grievances and wishes directly to me. Nobody has to come to my party office or visit the KMC headquarters in Esplanade.”

Elaborating on the idea, Ghosh said there are a lot of people who have not voted for the Trinamool in these elections. “We want to give service to everyone. But they will be shy to approach us and the drop boxes will help them communicate too. There are 33 percent minority voters in my ward, the idea will also benefit them.”

The boxes have been put up near children parks, local schools, tea stalls and in each lane and bylane. The first box was inaugurated by the councillor on Sunday near Sishu Udyan on J K Mitra Road. He has also tasked some party workers with collecting the chits daily.

The residents are happy with the initiative. Somnath Samanta, resident of J K Mitra Road, said: “We all welcome the idea. We have a number of problems involving drinking water and sewerage. Many of us have problems relating to their own houses. This is an easy way but one has to see whether the complaints or suggestions are heeded.”