A day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) presented its budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, its announcement of strengthening of the Disaster management cell seems to have found favour with the citizen groups.

The BMC’s new initiative of launching an interactive web portal Mumbai Voice to facilitate better disaster management has been applauded by various citizens groups and ALM associations. “The civic body’s decision to include citizens for better disaster management is indeed a heartening step. Any development can only work successfully if there is citizen’s involvement with the authorities,” said Neera Punj, convenor, Citispace citizen group.

Aiming at faster response, the BMC has taken the help of an outside NGO to set up the web portal that will enable people to log onto the site and get information on the emergency situation. “This web portal will be linked with our main (BMC’s) website. During emergencies, any person can log on and get information on the nature of the mishap. He can also give details he is witnessing in and around the area. All this will help us draw up better preparedness strategies,” said S S Shinde, deputy municipal commissioner (disaster management).

People across the world would be able to know the exact nature, location and situation of any mishap round the clock and through out the year, without having to deal with communication gap. “It is a fantastic approach, as long as important factual information is posted throughout. Even if all the people in a ward don’t have an internet access, communication will not take a beating. The ALM and NGO heads can warn the people in their respective areas when they get information about the disaster,” Punj said. “If properly implemented, it will be a boon for the people during calamities like the 2005 deluge. Dissemination of correct information during and after any disaster is very essential as it will also stop rumors from spreading and help the people,” Punj added.

Disaster management authorities say that the portal will work on a three-tier interface. “Uploading the web portal with necessary information is only the first step. People who don’t have any kind of internet access can also communicate with us via SMS and telephones. This is the first time we are coming up with such an initiative and hope it will be successful,” said Vilas Vaidya, chief officer of the disaster management cell.