PANAJI: Emergency response systems in Goa have been significantly strengthened ahead of the monsoon, with the state bringing down response time to 9 minutes and setting a further target of 6 minutes, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said after reviewing disaster preparedness.
Speaking after the state disaster management meeting today, the Chief Minister said, “We have brought down the emergency response time to 9 minutes, and efforts are underway to reduce it further to 6 minutes.” He added that 24x7 control rooms have been activated across all talukas to ensure faster coordination and monitoring during emergencies.
On financial preparedness, Sawant said funds have been released for local bodies to ensure ground-level readiness. “Deputy Collectors have been allocated Rs 5 lakh each, panchayats between Rs 35,000 and Rs 70,000 depending on category, and municipal bodies, including the Corporation of the City of Panaji, between Rs 1.10 lakh and Rs 1.20 lakh,” he said. He added that the North Goa Collector has distributed Rs 4 crore, South Goa Rs 3 crore, and Rs 2 crore in Kushavati for preparedness and response measures.
The Chief Minister said emergency medical response has also been strengthened with the deployment of ambulances on highways. “Two ambulances each have been stationed in North and South Goa to ensure quicker response during road accidents,” Sawant said, adding that four ambulances have been procured under the Health Disaster Management Relief Fund.
He said disaster response manpower has been expanded significantly. “We have trained 172 personnel in disaster management and mobilised 400 Aapda Mitra and 70 Aapda Sakhi volunteers to support rescue operations at the local level,” the Chief Minister said. He added that the volunteers will receive Rs 750 per day during deployment and are covered under insurance support.
On public health measures, Sawant said the Health Department has been directed to screen all labourers arriving from outside the state. “Free screening for vector-borne diseases, especially malaria and related infections, has been mandated to ensure early detection and prevent outbreaks during the monsoon,” he said.
He further said key departments have been placed on alert. “We have completed desilting of major rivers and identified vulnerable and landslide-prone zones for continuous monitoring,” the Chief Minister said. He added that road cutting has been banned, while electricity and fire services have been instructed to secure infrastructure and remove hazards.
Sawant also said precautionary measures have been taken in abandoned mining areas. “Abandoned mining pits have been fenced and marked with warning boards to prevent accidents during heavy rains,” he said. He added that the Fisheries Department has issued advisories restricting fishing activity during rough sea conditions, while the state continues coordination with the India Meteorological Department for timely weather alerts.
