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BMC’s Commitment to a Secure Mumbai

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Mumbai, known as the financial capital of India, the provenance of the Bollywood, and a hub of aspirations for millions of Indians, has emerged as a distinctive metropolis. Its exceptional features are the result of well-planned infrastructure in terms of basic amenities, industries, transportation, healthcare, education, tourism, and more. Amidst this diversity, Mumbai’s geographical composition is also uniquely remarkable. Surrounded by the sea on two sides and a creek on another side, this metropolis has witnessed challenges throughout its history. Apart from providing civic services and amenities, the parent organisation of Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also takes on the significant responsibility of formulating contingency plans for natural and man-made crises and managing such situations too.

BMC has always prepared to address various disasters and crises that may arise, to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens of Mumbai. While continuously striving to provide excellent basic amenities for the residents of Mumbai, BMC takes proactive measures to plan appropriate solutions in challenging circumstances. A vital component of this proactive approach is the Disaster Management Department of BMC. Mumbai has faced numerous challenges in the past, such as heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, terrorist attacks, building collapses, fire incidents, and other disasters. The catastrophic flood in 2005 and the terrorist attack in 2008 are the major crises that have occurred in Mumbai until now. In both these crises, the well-organized and planned disaster management mechanism implemented by BMC played a crucial role in mitigating the situation and bringing Mumbai back to normalcy within the shortest possible time.

However, despite such achievements, the need for coordination, well-equipped infrastructure, and skilled manpower in all areas of disaster management has been brought to the fore by these two incidents. Hence, the journey of the BMC’s Disaster Management Department has now reached a phase where it is embracing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other forms of advanced knowledge to enhance its preparedness. This transformative journey aims to augment human intelligence and expertise with technological advancements, thereby ensuring a multi-pronged and experiential approach to crisis management.

In 1993, Maharashtra witnessed a devastating earthquake centered in the Killari region of Latur district. As a result, the Government of Maharashtra decided to establish disaster control rooms in each district and municipal corporation to coordinate and facilitate effective communication among the administration during times of disasters. In 1999, BMC established a disaster management control room in the basement of its expanded headquarters building. Initially, this control room had limited manpower and resources but served the purpose of communication and coordination during emergencies. At that time, there was not much awareness or development of scientific perspectives for identifying potential threats. In such circumstances, BMC began work on disaster management measures.

Furthermore, in 2005, Mumbai faced a catastrophic flood due to unprecedented rainfall. This unexpected celestial crisis brought Mumbai to a standstill. However, BMC and the Disaster Management Department made relentless efforts with all available resources and played a crucial role in restoring normalcy to the lives of Mumbai’s residents within 48 hours. Despite being confined to a small area of about 500 square feet, the Disaster Management Department efficiently coordinated with various agencies and carried out its tasks with utmost dedication.

However, this incident highlighted the need to further strengthen the preparedness of the Disaster Management Department.

Under BMC, the expansion of the Disaster Management Department took place in 2006. Accordingly, the manpower in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) was increased and they were given the latest training. In 2016, with the aim of making this department more effective, the number of hotlines was increased, and the Maharashtra government provided over 5,000 CCTV cameras under the Mumbai Surveillance Project for direct deployment to enhance video surveillance capability.

Additionally, various state-of-the-art equipment were made available. In 2008, BMC began utilizing IT resources to deal with incidents such as terrorist attacks, bomb blasts, landslides, fires, and building collapses that pose a threat to public safety. Through the use of information technology, the foundation of essential information databases for prohibition, mitigation, and preparedness was established. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) became the basis for this information system.

GIS made possible the availability of information on various tools, resources, and manpower for handling disasters that occur in specific locations. As a result, it became possible to make effective decisions, plan measures, and implement them during emergencies.

Considering past incidents and potential future crises, the decision has now been made to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to manage disasters. Through this medium, the city of Mumbai will be able to plan disaster management based on an assessment of various potential threats. The estimation of various disasters will be done in advance through AI and machine learning. The analysis of these estimates using scientific methods will allow timely decision-making and reduce the risk of potential disasters.

To manage various disasters and implement preparedness and mitigation plans, the municipal corporation plays a coordinating role as the nodal agency under the Disaster Management Act 2005. A systematic approach has been adopted to ensure a reliable methodology, making it easier to engage with all related systems. Focus is not only on the systems. Public awareness, training, and public participation have also been given due attention by the municipal corporation. Initiatives have been continuously undertaken to educate citizens and students about disasters. In this regard, under BMC, the City Disaster Management Training Center has been established in Parel. This four-story building houses a 150-capacity 3D theater, training rooms, state-of-the-art simulation facilities, and other amenities.

Currently, several important development projects such as the Coastal Road, are underway in Mumbai, focusing on essential infrastructure. These projects aim to ensure sustainable development and minimize potential risks by adhering to all regulations of the Indian Standard 1893 about earthquake resistant structures.

The city of Mumbai is expanding not only horizontally but also vertically. Therefore, fire safety measures, including the installation of fire suppression systems, have been made mandatory in tall buildings to prevent incidents such as loss of life and financial damage. Additionally, every six months, each building must undergo a fire safety inspection and the self-declaration must be submitted on the BMC portal. To enforce these measures, all buildings are required to comply with the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act of 2009.

Considering the heavy monsoon rain and high tide situations there is a need for proper planning to address the issue. Consequently, initiatives have been taken to drain flood water and implement solutions based on geographical considerations. BMC is always prepared for such situations.

BMC has taken initiatives to rejuvenate all rivers flowing in Mumbai. Protection walls have been constructed to ensure the safety of citizens residing along the banks of rivers and nallas. Regular maintenance of these water bodies are carried out to maintain cleanliness by removing silt, garbage, and waste. In certain areas, underground water storage tanks have been built to increase the capacity of storing water, allowing the collection of millions of liters of flood water. Pumping stations have been built in different parts of Mumbai to facilitate quick drainage of excess rainwater into the sea.

In terms of disaster management, BMC has implemented various measures to ensure preparedness. Regardless of the severity of any emergency situation, our duty is to safeguard the lives and financial well-being of the residents of Mumbai. I take great pride in the fact that BMC is always ready to fulfill this responsibility, even in times of crisis.

Maharashtra

It is unconstitutional to deprive SP MLA Raees Sheikh of his right to handle religious affairs under Article 26 of the Constitution

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Mumbai: Maharashtra MLA Raees Sheikh has opposed the introduction of the Wakf Bill in the Lok Sabha. Raees Sheikh has strongly criticized the BJP for creating a false narrative and called the bill a misconception and unconstitutional bill which is harmful for the poor of the society.

Shaikh further said that Article 26 of the Constitution guarantees freedom to run religious institutions. It is unconstitutional to take away the right of a person to run his institution under Article 26 of the Constitution. MLA Shaikh said that this move is against the constitutional guarantee of dealing with religious matters.

Shaikh said that the BJP government is showing the UPA government that it is doing politics of appeasement of a particular community, while the BJP-led government is not doing so. This is an attempt to spread a lie that allows the community to seize any land under Waqf or claim it to be Waqf. The Waqf Board is not a private organisation of the Muslim community but a statutory body established under the Waqf Act. In the process of declaring a property as Waqf, a government surveyor conducts a survey and officially declares the property as Waqf. Sheikh remarked that it is completely wrong to present the idea that Muslims can arbitrarily declare any property as Waqf.

Shaikh further said that he strongly opposes the false image being created by the government and the government has not considered the suggestions given by Muslims or the opposition. All Waqf governing boards and trusts have been given the option to exit the Waqf framework. This has weakened the system. “This is an unimaginable and unimaginable bill that only harms the poor of the society,” Sheikh said.

He further said that some provisions, such as the condition that the person making the donation should have been a Muslim for five years, are strange. Earlier encroachment on wakf property was a non-bailable offence, but now it has been made a criminal offence

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Maharashtra

Who put up 103 out of 306 hoardings on railway land? BMC has no information. Hoarding mafia is active in Central and Western Railways.

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Mumbai: A total of 306 hoardings have been put up on Central and Western Railway land in Mumbai. Of these, 179 hoardings are on Central Railway land and 127 on Western Railway land. It is noteworthy that no information is available about who has put up 68 out of 179 hoardings of Central Railway and 35 out of 127 hoardings of Western Railway. This shocking information has come to light from an investigation conducted under the Right to Information (RTI) by RTI activist Anil Gilgali.

Anil Gilgali had sought various information from the Licensing Superintendent Office of Mumbai Municipal Corporation regarding the hoardings installed in the city. In response, the Licensing Superintendent Office provided detailed information about the hoardings installed on the land of Central, Western and Harbor Railways.

127 hoardings have been installed on Western Railway land. There are 3 seats in A ward, 1 in D ward, 1 in G South, 12 in G North, 2 in K East, 1 in K West, 10 in P South and 4 in R South. 35 hoardings are on Western Railway land, which have no owner and 179 hoardings are on Central Railway land. There are 68 hoardings on Central Railway land, which are not owned by anyone. There are 5 hoardings in E ward, 10 in F South ward, 2 in G North ward, 9 in L ward and 42 in T ward, a total of 68 hoardings.

According to Anil Gilgali, it is very important for the railway administration to maintain transparency after the Ghatkopar accident. Apart from this, the rules of the Municipal Corporation should be followed completely. If these hoardings are unauthorized, then the railway administration should remove them immediately and take strict action against the people concerned. Hoarding mafia is active in Mumbai and an IAS officer was given the charge of licensing department to bring a positive impact on the new advertising policy of Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Because financial irregularities are being done deliberately and without permission.

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Maharashtra

Three lakh pilgrims visit Haji Ali in Mumbai on Eid

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Mumbai: Eid-ul-Fitr passed off peacefully in Mumbai. Muslims celebrated Eid with simplicity and protested against the Waqf Bill by offering namaz with black bands on their arms. After Eid-ul-Fitr, a huge crowd of pilgrims thronged Haji Ali and Mahim dargahs. Three lakh pilgrims visited Haji Ali, for which the police had made tight security arrangements.

More than 300,000 pilgrims visited Haji Ali Dargah on the occasion of Basi Eid 2025. As per the preparations made with the Haji Ali Dargah Trust

200 volunteers

25 swimmers

78 CCTV cameras, CCTV camera operators, public announcement were arranged on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. First aid facilities were available on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. Heavy police force was deployed for search, barricades and ropes were also arranged. Eid and Basi Eid passed off peacefully in Mumbai and no untoward incident took place. On the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar, the police had made additional security arrangements at dargahs and mosques.

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