Citizen Safety Is the Top Priority, All Systems on High Alert – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeVisits Disaster Management Cell of Thane Municipal Corporation

Thane : With the onset of the monsoon approaching, the Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for Thane district. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, during his visit to the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation, emphasized that citizen safety is of utmost importance and all systems are on high alert to tackle any emergency.

“Our goal is zero loss of life,” said Deputy CM Shinde. “In any situation or upon receiving any complaint, all agencies must respond quickly and be ready to provide assistance without delay,” he instructed. Drawing from the experience of the past few years, he noted that the Thane Municipal Corporation has effectively handled monsoon-related challenges.

The Disaster Management Cell in Thane functions 24/7, with senior officials deployed in two shifts. Action plans have been put in place at the ward level, with manpower, vehicles, and JCB machines available as needed. To prevent waterlogging, 66 high-capacity pumps have been installed at 38 key locations. So far, 135 mm of rainfall has been recorded, but no major waterlogging complaints have been reported. Minor accumulations were promptly cleared using pumps, Shinde added.

There are six rain gauges and six flood sensors functioning on major nullahs within the TMC limits. Additionally, staff has been deployed at 43 vulnerable spots to monitor the situation during rainfall. A 29-member TDRF (Thane Disaster Response Force) team is also on standby. Of the 90 highly dangerous buildings in the C1 category, 42 have already been vacated. Residents from 6 buildings have been relocated, and efforts to shift 197 families are underway.

Shinde urged the public not to believe in rumors and to only rely on verified messages from government sources. He also advised against taking shelter in unsafe locations during the monsoon.

During his visit, Deputy CM Shinde reviewed the ongoing operations and preparedness of the Thane Disaster Management Cell.

Also present at the occasion were MP Naresh Mhaske, Thane District Collector Ashok Shingare, Additional Commissioners Sandeep Malvi (1) and Prashant Rode (2), City Engineer Prashant Sonagra, Deputy Commissioner G.G. Godepure, Manish Joshi, and Anagha Kadam.