State Disaster Management Authority Revitalized after Eighteen Years : To Develop own App Empowerment of the Department under CM’s direction

– Mr Pritam Nachankar, Special Correspondent, Sanatan Prabhat, Mumbai

CM Devendra Fadanvis inaugurates Disaster Management Cell in April 2025. With him are Dy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde

Mumbai, 29^thJuly – Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority (MDMA) set up for offering immediate help and coordination when any mishap happens, was in the state of abandonment for the last 18 years. It just existed without any activity due to lack of manpower and resources. Many people were not aware of the existence of such authority on the first floor of ‘Mantralaya’. MDMA has been empowered since the last few months under the initiative of Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis. It is even developing its own App called ‘Sachet’ for people to get immediate assistance.

MDMA was set up in 2006 in Maharashtra, under the directives of National Disaster Management Authority. In February 2025, CM Fadanvis took over as the Chairman of MDMA, ratified by the State cabinet in a meeting. Later, on 08.04.2025, a big office of MDMA was inaugurated. Presently, there are 24 people working in the department including officers and staff. It is operated under Dr Bhalchandra Chavan, the Director of Disaster Management Department.

Videos on happenings in various parts of the State will be available

Maharashtra Apatti Vyavasthapan Pradhikaran Kaksh (Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority Cell)

MDMA has permission to check the recording of 10,000 CCTV cameras installed in important places in the State which are under the State Home Ministry. It will be possible to watch the direct recording of different incidents happening across the State, from this department.

Fully equipped office

There are LED screens to see the directions of India Meteorological Department (IMD), instructions of National Disaster Management Department, coordination with disaster management Cell in the State and shooting of CCTV cameras in Mumbai. Officers have been appointed to independently handle disasters in the State. The department has been provided necessary equipment like laptops and there are separate cabins for the officers.

How will ‘Sachet’ App work ?

‘Sachet’ App being devised for MDMA for providing immediate help will have to be downloaded on phone. Under this App, when a person seeks help in any disastrous situation, there will be immediate coordination between the respective district administration, State Government and MDMA. The information on action taken at every stage when a person asks for help, will be available under this App. A message will go to MDMA when a key is pressed for 15 seconds. Immediate help will be provided by MDMA on checking the authenticity of the incident, as per the information shared by deputy secretary Dattatreya Kadam of MDMA.

Important Role played after Pahalgam attack

After the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in April 2025, MDMA played an important role in bringing back hundreds of citizens of Maharashtra who were stranded at the place. Mr Visheshkar Suryawanshi has been appointed as the Manager of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) Maharashtra, a key role within the State’s disaster management framework, as of March 2025.