Pune: PMC To Deploy 500 Smart Poles For Real-Time Flood Alerts And Disaster Response
Pune: PMC To Deploy 500 Smart Poles For Real-Time Flood Alerts And Disaster Response
Renuka Suryavanshi
In a bid to strengthen disaster preparedness and address criticism over poor monsoon planning, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will install 500 smart poles across the city, starting with 39 flood-prone zones.
Equipped with CCTV cameras, drone cameras, sirens, and digital display boards, these smart poles will be directly linked to PMC’s disaster management cell to enable real-time monitoring and faster emergency response.
The primary goal is to alert citizens during flood-like situations, but these smart poles will also assist during fires and other natural disasters. Installation work for the first phase is set to begin next week. The work has been initiated after consulting the 15 regional ward offices of PMC to understand the flood prone zones in the city.
According to Sandeep Khalate, Deputy Commissioner (Disaster Management), 500 AI-enabled CCTV cameras are also being deployed citywide to enhance surveillance. “After completing installations in flood-prone areas, we’ll extend the network to other parts of Pune based on our surveys,” Khalate added.
To further improve flood preparedness, PMC has installed automatic rain gauges at the Khadakwasla dam complex. These will provide live rainfall data to assess risks and activate sirens on smart poles if necessary.
Additionally, 24×7 control rooms have been set up at PMC headquarters and 15 zonal offices. A dedicated team of 25 trained personnel and nine engineers will remain on standby to ensure swift action during emergencies.
With these measures, PMC aims to minimize flood impact, enhance public safety, and strengthen the city’s monsoon readiness.
