BMC disaster-ready, but for consulates

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to establish dedicated helpline numbers and WhatsApp accounts for consulates, specifically to guide them during disasters.

The civic body's decision follows a confidential meeting with the consular representatives of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

There are consulate offices of 46 countries in the city. "Mumbai is surrounded by sea on all three sides and has many saucer-shaped pockets. Considering the topography, it is vulnerable to several threats and disasters like the July 26, 2005 inundation," a source said.

"The consular representatives wanted to know about BMC's preparedness and that was why the meeting was convened," a BMC source said.

"Dedicated helplines will be set up as the civic body's staffers find it difficult to attend calls from different consulate offices, given the different ways in which they pronounce. To avoid confusion, the corporation will appoint trained personnel to deal with calls from each consulate. The BMC may use a code system – known only to it and the consulates," the source said. Helpline numbers will also be kept secret.

Additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh confirmed that a meeting took place, but refused to divulge details. "Yes, the meeting did happen, but I cannot share the details," he said.

Sources said representatives who participated in the meeting were satisfied by the BMC's disaster cell operations. "The most important thing, during difficult times, is to co-ordinate properly. The representatives were impressed by the corporation's co-ordination plan with different agencies," the source said.