Ashish Shelar Directs BMC To Deploy 1,000 Volunteers With '1916' Helpline For Dahi Handi Safety

Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister and Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar on Monday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to deploy 1,000 volunteers wearing T-shirts displaying the ‘1916’ helpline number, launched by the BMC’s Disaster Management Cell, across the city on the day of the Dahi Handi festival.

Minister Shelar held a comprehensive review meeting with the Dahi Handi Coordination Committee, BMC officials, Mumbai Police, Traffic Police, RTO, J. J. Hospital, and the Fire Brigade to ensure the safe and successful organisation of the festival. The meeting took place at the P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy.

Present at the meeting were Committee President Bala Padelkar, General Secretary Geeta Zagde, Treasurer David Fernandes, Tushar Wavekar, Chetan Belkar, Rajesh Sanvadekar, Jitendra Raut, Assistant Police Commissioner Dinesh Pallevad, Chief Disaster Management Officer of the BMC Rashmi Lokhande, Deputy Commissioner of Police Akbar Pathan, Medical Officer of JJ Hospital Dr. Shrikant Parade, and other concerned officials.

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To ensure the successful and safe execution of the Dahi Handi festival in Mumbai, a comprehensive review was undertaken to assess key aspects such as crowd management, security arrangements, medical preparedness, sanitation, and emergency response during the festivities. Clear directives were issued to concerned officials to enhance inter-departmental coordination and operational efficiency, ensuring the celebrations remain peaceful, well-organised, and infused with traditional fervour.

Officials were also instructed to simplify the permission process and prepare detailed hospital access road maps. A follow-up review meeting will be convened within the next fifteen days, stated Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar.