God may help you, but not the PMC helpline

Twelve calls to the flood control cell meant to help citizens during emergency went unanswered. A security guard said, 'Aaj Sunday hai. Chhutti hai.'

God may help you, but not the PMC helpline

Twelve calls to the flood control cell meant to help citizens during emergency went unanswered. A security guard said, 'Aaj Sunday hai. Chhutti hai.'

In case of an emergency during the rains, it's better to pray than rely on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) helpline. Chances are that god my come to your rescue, but not the helpline, especially if it's a Sunday. After a long wait, the city experienced its first pre-monsoon showers yesterday and MiD DAY decided to test the helpline.

Holiday
When this reporter contacted the PMC disaster management-flood control cell (25501263/ 25501130) 12 times at regular intervals, there was no answer.

On the 13th attempt, at 4 pm, a security guard answered the call and said nobody was in office because it was a Sunday. The guard who identified himself as Hiralal Tathe said, "Aaj Sunday hain. Chhutti hai."

Divisional Muncipal Commissioner Pravin Ashtekar told MiD DAY, "I will take necessary action if there was nobody to respond to calls." However, he added, "Helpline number 25501263 will be operational only during office hours. The other number is meant to provide immediate assistance."

Lip service
Vivek Velankar, president, Sajag Nagrik Manch, a city-based NGO, said, "It is a standard practice of the PMC to show that they are doing something for citizens during an emergency. But there is no planning and no infrastructure. The fact that there was no response from the helpline proves that the PMC is only interested in lip service and not actual work."

The helpline facility was launched by the PMC on June 1 with the objective of providing 24x7 assistance during the rains. The officials are supposed to remain in office and provide help to citizens.

Water logging
Meanwhile, there were several incidences of water logging at prominent locations like NIBM Road, Jangali Maharaj Road, Shivaji Nagar, Rastapeth, Senapati Bapat Road and near the RTO office because of the pre-monsoon showers yesterday. The PMC has made arrangements for the temporary rehabilitation of residents in case of floods. Under flood control measures, ward-level officers have been appointed to monitor flood relief measures in the 14 ward offices of the city until October.