14 May,2009 07:29 AM IST | | Somita Pal
350 BMC men to get swimming lessons to help in rescue work this monsoon
The BMC doesn't want to be caught napping this monsoon. So, apart from fixing roads, desilting nullahs, etc, they even plan to plunge their own men in the thick of things.
The civic body wants all their employees to take swimming lessons, so that in case disaster strikes, they will be able to help the marooned.
The civic body is planning to train its workers to brave through troubled waters in case the city faces another deluge-like situation this monsoon. Because of time constraints the monsoons are expected to strike in a month 350 employees who already know swimming will be trained at the BMC swimming pools for eight to 10 days. The rest will be trained after the monsoon to build a stronger force for next year.
"While conducting a survey we found that many people from the disaster department also don't know swimming. If they can't save themselves, how will they save others," asked Vilas Vaidya, chief of disaster control cell, explaining how the idea of compulsory swimming lessons came up.u00a0
The BMC workers and their relatives already get concessions to learn swimming in BMC swimming pools. However, few actually use this facility.u00a0 "We will make it compulsory as otherwise people may ignore it, citing their busy lives. Knowing swimming will not only help during a disaster but also help in keeping fit," added Vaidya.
The disaster management cell has sent a proposal to seniors for their approval. "We will keep a record of their addresses and contact numbers so that in an emergency, they can be contacted easily," said Vaidya.
Heavy rains predicted on...
>>June 22 to 27
>>July 21 to 26
>>August 19 to 23
>>September 18 to 21
Helping hand
This year, the BMC has roped in an Army unit and 300 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force for July. It has also trained 72 people, including firemen, to swim in strong flowing currents.
