BMC’s `1,000 crore plan to save citizens from N-attack…Pandurang Mhaske
In the wake of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terror threats in Mumbai and India’s premier nuclear research facility, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), on the hit list of some militant organisations, the BMC has swung into action. The civic body is preparing a water supply management plan to prevent and tackle a CBRN disaster.
BMC chief Subodh Kumar recently said that the city’s disaster management cell was incapable of bailing out citizens in case of such an eventuality.
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) of the central government’s ministry of water resources is aiding the BMC in the preparation of the plan. It has already submitted a detailed plan and the approximate expenditure to the water quality division of the central government.
“The plan will be submitted to the World Health Organisation for further funding. The approximate cost of the project will be about Rs1,000 crore,” said an official from the BMC’s disaster management cell.
The plan involves the purchase and use of equipment that can stop water supply immediately in case of a disaster. There will also be a system to alert staff deployed at dams and lakes about any security breach and check thequality of water.