BMC decides to deploy NDRF

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In an attempt to strengthen its disaster management system during monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) this year too, has decided to knock doors of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The civic body has sent a letter to the Talegaon-based central agency asking it to deploy its teams in the city for rescue operations.
“We have already written a letter to the NDRF asking for three teams to be posted in the city from June 15. They have forwarded it to their higher authority for approval. However, it remains to be seen how many teams they will send. Last time we had demanded three, but they sent only two,” said Mahesh Narvekar, chief of BMC’s disaster management cell. The NDRF jawans, apart from providing rescue assistance to the civic body during floods, landslides and fires, will also be deployed at city beaches during high-tide days and weekends when the tourists are more in numbers. In 2010, the NDRF for the first time had sent three companies to Mumbai for disaster management. However, in 2011, they had turned down BMC’s request to avail their services. Last year, after initial reluctance they agreed to send their teams after municipal commissioner personally requested them on the backdrop of growing drowning deaths on the city.
Mr Narvekar said, “Each NDRF team will have 45 jawans. Their teams will be posted at Andheri Sports Complex and Bhandup Complex so that they can immediately rush to disaster spots.”
The NDRF has been formed to offer specialised and quick response to natural and manmade disasters. The NDRF battalion located at Talegaon, Pune, has specialist search and rescue teams, including engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads and paramedics. They also have speedboats, which are helpful in manning the beaches, said civic officials.