Now, Bangalore Development Authority uses Sarvam AI to translate citizen feedback from Kannada to English

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• BDA uses Sarvam AI to translate citizen feedback to English
• Sarvam AI helps bridge language gaps in Bengaluru governance
• AI translation lauded for natural tone, better accessibility

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Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has begun using Sarvam AI to translate citizen feedback from Kannada to English.

On February 20, BDA posted a 1.08-minute video on X showing a citizen’s feedback, translated from Kannada into English using tools developed by Sarvam AI.

BDA commissioner P Manivannan wrote on X: “SARVAM AI!! This is the first use of SARVAM AI in @BDAOfficialGok! The feedback of Shri Harish, a citizen of JP Nagar, about the Open House Grievances Redressal meeting is translated from Kannada to English using Sarvam AI.”

Manivannan added: “The original feedback was in Kannada and already shared. Now the English version is being shared with translation by Sarvam AI.”

In a separate post, BDA said: “BDA Using Sarvam AI! An applicant’s feedback at the Open House Meeting of the Bangalore Development Authority was translated into English using @SarvamAI, embracing technology to make governance more inclusive and accessible.”

A senior BDA official told Moneycontrol: “Sarvam AI is a homegrown AI model, so it works better in the Indian context. It was natural for us to test it. We are now using it for translations, and both officials and the public are happy. The transparency it brings ensures that people cannot claim they were unable to access services".

"We plan to expand its use. We are looking for volunteers who can work with us in this regard. We are exploring blockchain for sale deed titles and AI for public grievances. With around 6,000 grievances pending, AI can help identify urgent and easily resolvable cases,” he said.

The move marks a push towards more inclusive and tech-enabled governance in multilingual Bengaluru, where language barriers can often slow administrative processes. Several citizens said use of AI tools during public grievance platforms could help bridge language gaps and improve citizen engagement going forward.

According to the Authority, at a recent Open House meeting, citizens shared their grievances with senior BDA officials, and a resident later provided feedback in Kannada, which was subsequently translated into English using AI. Siddharth Singh wrote on X: “This sounds so natural. Not robotic. Captured nuances of accent very well. Kudos @SarvamAI.”