Mumbai, May 14 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today directed authorities concerned with Mumbai's disaster Management to appoint a sufficiently senior and responsible liason officer, who would be available to the control room/secretary (relief and rehabilitation) round the clock and respond to requests by taking instant action.

Speaking at a review meeting of the city's disaster Management on the eve of monsoon season, Mr Deshmukh appreciated the work of the concerned agencies like Army, Navy, Airforce, Railways, Civil aviation, BMC, BEST and Mumbai police who worked together to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and floods in the city during the last monsoon.

Several steps to ease the hardships on the citizens during the rains this year were discussed in a meeting held at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, here this morning.

Principal Secretary (Relief and Rehabilitation) and other concerned departments were directed to prepare standard operating procedures to deal with difficult situations that may arise due to heavy rains/floods in different parts of the city and circulate it to all concerned to be involved in the disaster mitigation work.

BMC commissioner, Principal secretary (Relief and Rehabilitation) and other concerned authorities were tasked with immediately taking a review of disaster-related inventory at their disposal, undertake essential repair and maintenance, if any, and keep them ready for use.

Mumbai police Commissioner was told to prepare an alternate traffic diversion plan based on past experience so as to be able to divert traffic particularly public transport in case of water logging in certain areas.

BMC has to ensure that all low lying areas prone to flooding in the heavy rains have adequate pumping arrangement, the pumps are in working condition and are of the capacity required to pump out standing water in a given period of time.

UNI