BAT Algorithm for Improving Fuzzy C-Means Clustering for Location Allocation of Rural Kiosks in Developing Countries under E-Governance

Rural Kiosks are important infrastructural pillar in rural regions for internet and basic technology facility all around the world. They are also known as Tele-centers or Common Service Centers and are majorly used by government to promote Electronic Governance. The major characteristic of setting up of Rural Kiosk is their appropriate location so that people from rural region can avail the services at minimum travel cost and time. There are lot of traditional schemes used by researchers in past for location allocation but this paper proposes the usage of Fuzzy C-Means clustering and BAT algorithm to optimize the location of Rural Kiosk. The meta-heuristic approach has produced better results as compared to normal graph theories in past. The experiment has been conducted on a random data set of 72 village locations from India and their clusters are formed. It is found that using only Fuzzy C-Means clustering to allocate the center and by using it in combination with BAT algorithm produced up to 25% of efficient results. This can drastically help the key stakeholders in allocation of these Rural Kiosks at right places so as to maximize their utility.