In a bid to ensure the safety of Mumbai’s citizens, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has embarked on a crucial mission. With the High Court’s deadline of August 21 looming large, BMC is working tirelessly to cover open manholes. However, that’s not all they’re doing. The BMC has now introduced geo-tagging for manhole covers, a move that holds significant importance for two primary reasons.ย
Geo-Tagging for Safety
Reason 1: Replacing Missing Covers Quickly
Imagine walking down the street and suddenly encountering an open manhole, a dangerous hazard. BMC recognizes that open manholes pose a grave risk to citizens. To tackle this issue effectively, they’ve begun geo-tagging these manhole covers.ย
Geo-tagging, in simple terms, means attaching a digital label to these covers. This label contains information like the exact location, date, and time when the tag was created. So, if a manhole cover mysteriously disappears, BMC will have a record of when it happened and where it occurred. This record can be invaluable when it comes to replacing the missing cover promptly.ย
The second crucial reason behind geo-tagging is legal. In case any mishap occurs due to open manholes, BMC will now have solid evidence to present in court. This evidence can help determine responsibility and liability.
BMC’s Swift Action
The process of geo-tagging manhole covers is already in motion. The sewerage operation department has taken the lead, and soon, the stormwater drain department will follow suit.
What BMC Officials Say
Sudhakar Shinde, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs), emphasizes the importance of this initiative. He stated, โI have instructed the ward officials of western suburbs to get all the manholes geo-tagged and file a report in this regard. It will show the time and date which can be used as evidence in case the cover gets stolen before inspection. Also, we can replace the missing cover immediately to ensure the safety of the citizens. โ
High Court’s Watchful Eye
The High Court has appointed an expert team that will commence inspecting manholes across the city from August 21. This deadline has set BMC into action. The BMC administration has issued a directive to all 24 wards in Mumbai. They are to ensure that all open manholes are covered, and reports must be submitted before 10 am on August 21. BMC officials are working diligently to meet this deadline.ย
BMC’s move to geo-tag manhole covers is a significant step toward ensuring the safety of the people of Mumbai. It not only helps in swiftly replacing missing covers but also provides essential evidence for legal matters. As the High Court’s inspection date approaches, BMC is leaving no stone unturned in making the city safer for everyone.
