GCC uses AI-altered image to close complaint sans redressal, backfires
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Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) officials used AI erasers to tamper with a photograph flagging a civic problem, and reposted the picture claiming that the problem had been 'duly addressed'.
When a Pallikaranai resident raised a complaint on X last week about exposed power cables posing a danger to school students on Sunnambu Kolathur Road, GCC quickly closed the complaint on its website with an image of the same spot altered using AI.
The corporation assistant executive engineer, who responded to the complaint, posted an image that was edited using an AI eraser tool widely available on mobile phones and computers for free.
While cars, bikes, and other objects were removed, the subject of the complaint—the EB wires—were ignored.
The official also forgot to remove the shadow from the image, which appeared smudged and blurred in the doctored parts, as is typical when an AI eraser is used on an object. P Kannadasan, the resident who flagged this, said it was disappointing to know GCC closed complaints without redressal.
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Originally, when complaints were closed, GCC had the option to escalate them to the regional deputy commissioner.
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However, such options were missing in the portal for residents. Perungudi zone AEE Manoharan said he was not aware of the complaint. "It's a highways road in the GCC zone. I forwarded it to the highways department. I did not use AI. GCC will remove the cables on its own," he said.
Perungudi zonal chairman S V Ravichandran said the govt is serious about grievance redressal. Any stray incidents like this will be taken seriously, and officials will be punished.
GCC receives 100 complaints daily on various platforms, and this is not the first time GCC has closed complaints without redressal.Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam, said the corporation cannot make raising complaints look futile.
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