Pune: To better address increasing natural and man-made disasters in the rapidly growing city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Disaster Management Unit. Inspired by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's model, the unit will span 7,400 square feet and be housed on the second floor of the old municipal building’s western wing.
The new unit will feature modern facilities, including engineering and control rooms, conference spaces, a server room, a library, and an eight-bed rest area for staff. It will operate 24x7 with a dedicated team of 65-70 personnel across three shifts. The project is estimated to cost ₹4 crore.
Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, who initiated the plan, emphasized the importance of preparedness and coordination to handle emergencies effectively, including floods, earthquakes, and other crises.
Currently, the PMC’s disaster management unit operates in a cramped 640-square-foot space, lacking basic amenities like washrooms and lifts, creating inconvenience for its staff. This new facility will not only address these issues but also significantly enhance the city’s disaster response capabilities.
The new unit will replace several departments, including the Chief Auditor’s Office, Deputy Commissioner of Special Branch, Slum Rehabilitation and Redevelopment Department, Swachh Sarvekshan Campaign, Construction Development, and Legal Department’s storeroom.
These offices will be relocated to other parts of the municipal building, including Savarkar Bhavan, the current disaster management unit, and the ground floor of the tax assessment warehouse section.
The upgraded unit will feature:
An engineering room
A control room
A conference room
A consultation room
A computer and server room
A library
An eight-bed staff rest facility
The project is estimated to cost ₹4 crore. The unit will operate 24x7, with a dedicated workforce of 65-70 personnel available year-round, as shared by City Engineer Prashant Waghmare and Superintendent Engineer Yuvraj Deshmukh of the Building Design Department.
