Navi Mumbai Sets Up 55 Relief Shelters After Deadly Belapur Building Collapse

A week after a four-storey building collapsed in CBD Belapur amid heavy rains, killing three and injuring two, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has identified and readied 55 relief shelters to accommodate disaster victims. The incident, involving the ten-year-old Indira Niwas building in Shahbaz Village, has prompted swift action from the civic body to prevent further tragedies.

Relief Shelters

In response to the disaster, the NMMC has collaborated with 114 NGOs to provide food for up to 15,000 people in emergencies. The relief shelters, located across various locations, include schools, temples, and community centres. These shelters are equipped to provide immediate relief to those affected by such disasters.

Photo Credit: PTI

Immediate Assistance

Following the collapse, residents of the affected building were housed at a relief shelter in Agroli, Belapur. Here, they receive food and other essential amenities. Kailas Shinde, the municipal commissioner, highlighted that a disaster management plan was prepared before the monsoon season. "We have ensured that safe shelters have been identified so that victims can be rehabilitated immediately if any disaster strikes," Shinde stated.

Shinde emphasized that the relief shelters have been spruced up and are located near the residents' original locations to minimize inconvenience. "We are also equipping these shelters with necessary amenities and services so that those residing there do not face any problems," he added. The plan includes provisions for various emergencies, including flooding during torrential rains.

Support From Local Organisations

A total of 114 organisations, including restaurants and social institutions, have committed to providing food supplies to the shelters. "The commitment is such that we will be able to provide meals to around 15,000 people at any given time," Shinde mentioned. The emergency plan includes detailed information about these organisations to ensure coordinated relief efforts.

Proactive Measures

In a proactive measure, the NMMC has already initiated action against dilapidated buildings across Navi Mumbai by disconnecting water and electricity supplies and relocating residents to safer places. Shinde concluded with an appeal to the residents, "We appeal to the residents to cooperate with the civic body to ensure immediate relief to all and prevent any loss of life."