Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged all departments to fulfill their duties effectively, focusing on disaster mitigation. He has instructed officials to start developing an AI-based integrated Command and Control System to bolster disaster management and emergency response in Maharashtra. Fadnavis emphasized the importance of strengthening preparedness based on past experiences, especially with the upcoming monsoon season.
CM Fadnavis has directed all departments to assess their preparedness in the next 15 days and prioritize addressing any operational shortcomings. He has also mandated the integration of various entities like Mantralaya, Police, Municipal Corporations, and control rooms to ensure seamless coordination and aid for citizens during the monsoon.
Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan stressed the necessity of improved coordination during dam water discharge to prevent flooding in downstream areas. He has called for structural audits of weak bridges and the suspension of traffic on unsafe structures. Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil announced a special relief package for agricultural losses, damaged homes, livestock deaths, and human casualties.
The relief package includes financial aid such as Rs 10,000 per hectare for Kharif crop losses, Rs 47,000 compensation for flood-affected land, and grants of up to Rs 5,000 under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. Patil mentioned that the state has already disbursed Rs 16,224 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer to 1.06 lakh farmers. Additionally, compensation of Rs 30,000 per damaged well has been approved for around 11,000 wells, with the relief eligibility extended to three hectares.
CM Fadnavis also reviewed the preparedness of various agencies including the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, India Meteorological Department (IMD), NDRF, SDRF, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Central Railway, Western Railway, Konkan Railway, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and other civic bodies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
