IMC to form disaster management cell, build 1,000 PMAY flats in Sidhora

Indore: In a significant decision aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) on Thursday announced the formation of a dedicated Disaster Management Cell to tackle natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and war-like situations.

"As part of this initiative, 8 to 10 'Disaster Friends' will be appointed in each ward and will receive specialised training in collaboration with the district administration, the IMC, and the police. The proposal received in-principle agreement during the mayor-in-council meeting, and discussions were also held regarding the procurement of necessary resources," mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said.

To ensure better maintenance and development of the city's dividers, green belts, and gardens, a plan to allow social organisations and groups to adopt these spaces was discussed. The Mayor expressed optimism that this initiative would accelerate the beautification of the city.

A consensus was reached on conducting a comprehensive survey, online registration, and issuance of identity cards to street vendors and cart operators in the city to clarify their status. The groundwork was also laid for creating a permanent database for them. An agency will be appointed to conduct the survey and provide the information to the Municipal Corporation within a defined timeframe.

Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) 2.0, in-principle approval was granted for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of over 1,000 houses in Gram Sindhora. A presentation regarding this was also given by the concerned department.

Agreement was also reached on providing compensation to farmers in the submerged area affected by the increase in the water supply capacity of Yashwant Sagar.

A decision was taken to reimburse the expenses incurred in providing online and offline concessional monthly passes to students, senior citizens, differently-abled individuals, and ragpickers.

The mayor announced an initiative to take waste management to the next level by reusing clothes collected from waste under the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) innovation through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This plan also received in-principle approval.