Mumgekar criticises disaster management in Mumbai

Mumbai, July 19 (UNI) Union Planning Commission member Bhalchandra Mungekar today criticised the disaster management plan of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and said that the management acts after disaster strikes and does nothing to prevent it.

Mr Mungekar, who had come to meet the Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner, said the administration should do something to prevent any disaster and the corporation should work towards it.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Mungekar said the BMC should play an active part in the town planning of the city and should prevent illegal constructions. His remarks were in reference to the building collapse yesterday in Borivali here that claimed 26 lives.

He further added that the strong builder lobby in the city should be controlled, as it is very important for the development of the city.

Commenting on the development at Dharavi, Mr Mungekar said, ''Dharavi should be developed but not at the cost of the poor, and there should be a balance between the poor and the middle class.'' UNI