Mumbai to have a uniform disaster management plan

Chief secretary JK Banthia, on Friday, asked all Central government agencies, departments and installations in the state, including the railways, airport, port trust and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), to prepare a disaster management plan in line with the state plan. Sayli Udas Mankikar reports.

Looking to ensure a uniform disaster management plan throughout the city, chief secretary JK Banthia, on Friday, asked all Central government agencies, departments and installations in the state, including the railways, airport, port trust and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), to prepare a disaster management plan in line with the state plan.

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The Maharashtra state government follows a prescribed format set by the Central government for disaster management. After the top free floors of the Mantralaya building were gutted down by fire on June 21, the government has been on a war footing, chalking out disaster management plans in government buildings and establishments.

"The 2005 disaster management act calls for all central government agencies to prepare a plan which they should get approved from the Centre. They should also conduct structural audits of buildings that fall under them," said Banthia at the meeting between state and Central government officials.

According to IA Kundan, director of state disaster management department the state government wants to have a real-time disaster plan ready which will be in approved workable formats.