Smart poles equipped for flood management and response deployment by PMC
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken a significant step towards enhancing its disaster management capabilities, particularly focusing on flood control and emergency preparedness. The move comes in response to criticism over poor monsoon preparedness in recent years.
At the heart of this comprehensive plan is the establishment of an Advanced Disaster Management Cell within the PMC headquarters. This 24/7 control room, operating during monsoons and other emergencies, oversees activities across 15 zonal offices placed on alert mode.
An integrated surveillance system is another key component of the plan. The city is already monitored by a network of 1,400 to 2,000 CCTV cameras jointly managed by PMC and police. In addition, PMC is installing smart poles equipped with CCTV cameras, drone cameras, sirens, and digital display screens. These smart poles serve as multipurpose monitoring and communication units, designed to detect emergencies quickly, provide visual feedback through cameras, broadcast warnings via sirens, and display real-time information or alerts on digital screens.
PMC has also drawn up an expansive flood action plan, identifying 71 temporary shelter centers across the city for quick evacuation of residents from vulnerable areas. The corporation has received ₹80 crore under the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) specifically for urban flood control, and plans a total investment of ₹600 crore in disaster management infrastructure.
Ganesh Sonune, head of the disaster management department, confirmed the installation of smart poles in 39 flood-prone areas. The installation of smart poles will be done in phases, with the first phase focusing on these flood-prone areas. Sandeep Khalate, deputy commissioner (disaster management), PMC, stated that smart poles and 500 AI-based CCTV cameras are being installed.
The smart poles will be directly connected to the PMC's disaster management cell, and sirens on the poles will alert residents regarding potential flood risks. Additionally, readings from the automatic rain gauges installed at the Khadakwasla dam complex will be sent directly to the PMC to help assess flood risk.
A team of 25 trained staff and nine engineers will be on standby for quick response at the control rooms, ensuring that the city is prepared to respond efficiently to any emergencies that may arise during the monsoon season. With this infrastructure in place, the Pune Municipal Corporation aims to reduce flood impact, reach affected areas faster, and enhance citizens' safety during the monsoon. The smart poles' main purpose is to alert during flood situations, but they will also aid in other emergencies such as fires or natural disasters.
By linking these smart poles to the centralized disaster management cell, PMC aims to enhance the city's resilience and reduce response times during disasters. The smart poles are a critical part of the strategy to ensure real-time monitoring, early warning, and efficient coordination during floods and other emergencies.
- To further enhance the city's resilience during emergencies, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is installing smart poles in 39 flood-prone areas, which will be directly connected to the PMC's disaster management cell.
- As part of its comprehensive plan, the Pune Municipal Corporation has drawn up an expansive flood action plan, investing ₹600 crore in disaster management infrastructure, including the installation of smart poles and 500 AI-based CCTV cameras, to aid in environmental-science research related to flood control and improve technology in disaster management.
