5K Runs Held in NTR, Guntur to Boost Census Self-Enumeration
Urging citizens to participate in the nationwide digital exercise
VIJAYAWADA: With only four days left for the self-enumeration phase of Census 2027, district administrations in NTR and Guntur intensified awareness drives on Sunday, urging citizens to participate in the nationwide digital exercise.
In NTR district, joint collector S. Ilakkiya flagged off a 5K run at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium, organised jointly by the district administration and Vijayawada Municipal Corporation.
Addressing participants, she said self-enumeration would ensure accurate data collection, improve transparency and reduce the overall time required for the census process. She urged citizens to log on to the official portal and complete the process before the April 30 deadline.
Ilakkiya said citizens would receive a unique 11-digit identification number after submitting details, which could be shown to enumerators during field verification. Calling it part of the country’s first digital census initiative, she urged people to use mobile technology to register from home.
Census Joint Director Prasanna Kumar said self-enumeration would provide reliable data and promote wider public participation.
In Guntur, a similar 5K run was flagged off from the Collectorate by Guntur Municipal Corporation commissioner K. Mayur Ashok along with Guntur district Joint Collector Ashutosh Srivastava. The run proceeded up to Hindu College junction.
Officials said the campaign aimed to create awareness and encourage citizens to submit accurate information through the self-enumeration facility.
Srivastava said Census 2027, being conducted digitally for the first time, was a prestigious national programme vital for policy formulation and development planning. He said self-enumeration would streamline the door-to-door survey scheduled from May 1 to the end of the month.
He clarified that the one-time password (OTP) was required only for login purposes and that no banking or sensitive personal details were being sought, urging people not to believe misconceptions.
Officials further said migrant individuals could complete enumeration either at their permanent address or current place of residence. Students, volunteers, NSS programme officers, sportspersons, walkers and officials from various departments participated in large numbers in both runs.