Mumbai, June 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday conducted a high‑level review meeting to assess monsoon preparedness in Mumbai and its metropolitan region (MMR) and stressed the safety of citizens.
He directed all administrative and emergency agencies to work in close coordination with a strict target of “zero casualties” this rainy season.
He noted that since the monsoon has been delayed this year, authorities have gained additional time to fine‑tune their arrangements. However, he emphasised that along with disaster management, planning for drinking water supply must also be prioritised due to the delayed rains.
DCM Shinde highlighted a major milestone in Mumbai’s infrastructure, revealing that 1,700 km out of Mumbai’s 2,000 km road network has been concretised. This massive upgrade has led to an 80 per cent reduction in previously incurred expenses for road repairs and pothole maintenance.
He directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to set up its own Disaster Response Force on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), immediately complete pending desilting work, ensure holding ponds and floodgates are fully operational, conduct structural audits of hoardings and install protective nets in landslide‑prone areas.
He also asked BMC to maintain a steady stock of medicines at Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana clinics to curb waterborne diseases, ensure proper drainage in slum areas and set up alternative transport plans via BEST and ST buses.
He emphasised the need to ensure that central agencies like the Railways properly clean drains under tracks and that Metro stations do not face waterlogging. “All administrative bodies must work as a single team to provide maximum relief to Mumbaikars during the monsoon season,” he said.
During a presentation, BMC Additional Commissioner Abhijit Bangar shared key figures regarding the city’s preparedness for the June–September period.
Earlier, Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar on Saturday directed the Railways, BMC, BEST, District Collectorates, Metro authorities and other concerned agencies to prepare an integrated plan and work in close coordination while planning for flood situations during the monsoon season.
Minister Shelar stated that in the unfortunate event of flood‑like situations, an integrated emergency response plan should be prepared that covers crowd management at railway stations, evacuation of passengers from overcrowded stations, easing traffic congestion on adjoining roads, and providing food and drinking water to stranded commuters.
He further directed that coordination be maintained between the CCTV surveillance systems, public announcement mechanisms and emergency control rooms of all concerned authorities.
He instructed that structural audits should be conducted for pedestrian bridges within and outside railway stations, vehicular bridges and hoardings located in station precincts. An integrated deployment plan for pumps belonging to both the Railways and the BMC should also be prepared.
He also directed officials to prepare a detailed report regarding the rehabilitation of residents living in 24 dilapidated and dangerous buildings, as well as certain slum structures located within railway jurisdiction in and around Masjid Bunder, and submit the report to the government for further action.
Source: IANS
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