Disaster management groups on toes at New Town, Salt Lake
Kolkata: Civic bodies in New Town, Sector V and Salt Lake along with Bidhannagar Police have geared up to combat any emergency situation, which may occur due to the cyclone Fani. Special Disaster Management Groups (DMG) have been formed and control rooms have been set up to act immediately in case of any disaster caused by the cyclone.
In Salt lake, about eight trees have felled at various locations due to the impact of Fani.
According to Debashis Sen, chairman of Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) and New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), a special control room has been set up for emergency situation.
Also, Kolkata Gate has been closed for spectators and all rides have been suspended at the Eco Park. Monitoring teams have been set up to keep a check on the rise of the water-level in canals. Special DMG teams are all set to combat any emergency situation and the staff of New Town Kolkata Development Authority are on high alert.
Apart from New Town, special arrangements have been made by the Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA) also. A special control room has been opened to receive distress calls during the cyclone.
Building authorities have been asked to close all the windows and keep safe distance from glass panes. A control room has been opened there as well.
Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made elaborate arrangements in view of the cyclone Fani. Control rooms have been set up in each borough offices. Ten ambulances have been kept ready for medical emergencies.
Adequate drinking water tankers, dry foods, and tarpaulins have been arranged as precautionary steps. Some school buildings and clubs have been being taken over by the BMC to provide shelter to people in case if emergency evacuation needed. According to a circular by the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation authorities, staff of all the department have been instructed to be ready to tackle any emergency situation.
A control room has been opened at the Poura Bhavan, which has adequate staff all through the day to address any problem caused by cyclone Fani. Senior officials and MMiCs (Member, Mayor-in-Council) have been given the charge of supervision of work at their respective departments. Mayor, Municipal Commissioner and other officials are going to stay at the Poura Bhavan throughout the night.
Bidhannagar Police arranged for two special DMG teams from Barrackpore, which have been deployed in Salt Lake and New Town. This apart, gas cutters and other necessary equipments have been kept ready for any emergency situation. Apart from these measures, additional police forces have been deployed round the clock both on the field and control room.
"We are ready to combat the cyclone. Necessary traffic diversions will be made if needed," said Amit P Javalgi, Deputy Commissioner (headquarters) of Bidhannagar Police. South Dum Dum and Dum Dum municipalities have also geared up to combat Fani. According to sources, proper relief measures have been taken and DMG teams are ready.
