In a bid to prevent casualties, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed all civic bodies in the state to conduct third-party structural audits of dangerous buildings. The move aims to prioritize life safety by relying on assessments conducted by reputable engineering institutes rather than audit reports obtained from housing societies.
Shinde emphasized the importance of proactive measures during a meeting on monsoon preparedness, stating that this approach would help prevent loss of life. The Chief Minister also directed civic bodies to ensure suitable accommodation for displaced families from unsafe buildings to encourage their voluntary evacuation. Various agencies, including the Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Railways, Army, Navy, and Air Force, made presentations on their monsoon preparedness during the meeting.
Shinde urged these agencies to utilize modern technology for search and rescue operations, maintain constant communication, and coordinate effectively. He also instructed officials to clear drains, address waterlogging on railway tracks, relocate people from landslide-prone areas, and fill potholes on roads. The irrigation department was also asked to stay vigilant to prevent flood-like situations in specific regions.
