Bandra-Kurla Complex shows the way with guidebook

Mumbai may soon turn into a ‘skyscraper city’, but there is lack of planning for safety against fire and other hazards.

But a group of buildings in the plush Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) have made a humble beginning.

The members of G Block in BKC have developed a pocket-sized guide for emergency response tips.

“The Area Security Advisory Panel (ASAP) as formed in 2005, and since then we have been having regular meetings. In one of the meetings, the idea to come out with a pocket book on essential information was mooted,” said Punit Saxena, chairman of the G Block owners’ association.

The booklet has been handed over to all the 30 buildings housed in G Block. It includes information on how to tackle emergencies such as fire, terror attacks or armed assault, earthquakes, building evacuation; how to deal with suspicious objects and a list of emergency contact details.

Experts feel that such information should be easily available because people tend to panic in an emergency situation. “BKC is fast becoming an international hub and can be targeted. In case of a terror attack, very few people know what to do. The booklet has suggestions on how the public should react to armed assaults or terror attacks,” said a member of the ASAP team, on condition of anonymity. 

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) too has welcomed the initiative.

“It can also be distributed to those visiting the area. For instance, many do not know about the parking areas, food parks and other information related to BKC. The booklet would be helpful to them too,” suggested an MMRDA planner, requesting anonymity.