September 9, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that it is fully prepared to handle both natural and man-made disasters, as part of its ongoing disaster management efforts. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani underlined the corporation’s commitment to adopting global best practices and advanced risk mitigation strategies to ensure a safer and more resilient Mumbai. He was speaking on Monday at the inauguration of a three-day workshop on Urban Disaster Risk Resilience.
The workshop, jointly organised by the BMC and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), is being held from September 8 to 10 2025. The opening session was attended by senior civic officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioners Dr Amit Saini and Abhijit Bangar, along with Mumbai City District Collector Anchal Sood Goyal. International representatives such as Sanjay Bhatia, Head of the Global Education and Training Institute at UNDRR, and Neelachal Mishra, Partner and Head of Government and Public Services at KPMG, were also present.
In his address, Gagrani noted that while the BMC has decades of experience in managing emergencies, there is a pressing need to integrate global research and technological innovation to strengthen proactive disaster response. He pointed to ongoing initiatives such as river rejuvenation projects, the BRIMSTOWAD drainage improvement scheme, and the construction of sewage treatment plants as vital measures in reducing risk and enhancing resilience. He stressed that preventive action, taken in time, could help avert crises and minimise potential damage. Praising Mumbaikars for their courage and solidarity during past disasters, he said that the city’s collective spirit continues to be its greatest strength.
Other speakers emphasised the need for investment in resilient infrastructure and effective recovery planning. Mishra highlighted that disaster preparedness must go beyond protecting lives, extending to safeguarding infrastructure and minimising financial losses. Bhatia, meanwhile, underlined the growing risks posed by climate change and rapid urbanisation. He argued that risk mitigation today should be seen as a strategic investment, capable of preventing significant financial setbacks in the future. He also urged stakeholders to work collectively in building cities that can withstand emerging threats.
The workshop’s sessions include discussions on “Making Cities Resilient – 2030” by Bhatia, insights on “Disasters and Response Strategies in Mumbai” by Mahesh Narvekar, Director of the BMC’s Disaster Management Cell, and a presentation on resilience planning at GIFT City by Rajiv Sharma, its Head.
Officials said the programme aims to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, enabling Mumbai to incorporate global expertise while refining local strategies. The workshop is expected to strengthen the city’s disaster preparedness framework, ensuring that it remains capable of protecting lives, infrastructure, and economic stability in the years ahead.
Source: The Free Press Journal
