BMC to build 2nd video wall in Parel

Mumbai: In order to ensure proper backup of its disaster related data in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to recreate a replica of the existing video wall, which is at the disaster management control room of the BMC headquarters. The replica will be created at the City Institute of Disaster Management in Parel, which is soon to be inaugurated.

The existing video wall in the disaster management cell of the BMC headquarters has the feed for the 5,000 CCTV cameras. These cameras have been placed across the city by the state government. The feed from these cameras is currently made available to the police, traffic police in the city apart from the state government.

According to the civic body officials, the replica of the video wall will ensure that the feed is availed safely and alternatively at another location. “In case anything untoward happens at the current unit, the alternate video wall will get activated in a few seconds and the data can be provided immediately to concerned authorities,” said a civic official.

Currently at the civic headquarters, there are staffers who monitor the feed on the video wall. The data is helpful especially during the monsoons. During heavy monsoons, it plays a major role in ascertaining locations where there is water logging, traffic or citizens who have been stranded in the city. It also can used to keep track of calamities such as fire or building crash, said civic officials.

The cost of the project is nearly Rs 4 crore. The proposal will be tabled before the civic standing committee on Wednesday for an approval.

The BMC has its own disaster management cell, which was formed in 1999, to co-ordinate between various agencies during the natural and man-made disasters and also to provide help to prevent life and property loss. It has also set up an Institute of Disaster Management (CIDM) to create effective disaster management systems and professionals in the city.