Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed all departments to effectively discharge their responsibilities with a strong focus on disaster mitigation. He also instructed officials to initiate the development of an AI-based integrated Command and Control System to strengthen disaster management and emergency response across Maharashtra.

He was speaking at the review meeting regarding the ‘Pre-Monsoon Preparedness and Disaster Management’.

“Every monsoon brings new challenges, and therefore, preparedness must be strengthened based on past experiences. Directed all departments to ensure effective implementation of SOPs, timely warnings, rapid response and swift assistance to affected citizens,” said the CM.

CM Fadnavis instructed all departments to review preparedness over the next 15 days and address operational gaps on priority. He also directed the integration of Mantralaya, Police, Municipal Corporations and various control rooms through a unified response system to ensure better coordination and citizen relief during the monsoon season.

Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan highlighted the need for better coordination during dam water discharge, which often leads to flooding in downstream villages. He directed structural audits of weak bridges and said traffic should be suspended on structures deemed unsafe.

Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil said the state has sanctioned a special relief package for agricultural losses, damaged homes, livestock deaths, and human casualties.

The package includes Rs 10,000 per hectare for Kharif crop losses, Rs 47,000 compensation for flood-washed land, and grants of up to Rs 5,000 under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. Patil said the state has deposited Rs 16,224 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the accounts of 1.06 lakh farmers. For the first time, compensation of Rs 30,000 per well has been sanctioned for around 11,000 damaged wells, while relief eligibility has been increased from two hectares to three hectares.

CM reviewed the preparedness of 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 ans the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

–IANS

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