One city, one command: Mumbai to decentralise disaster response under new UDMA plan

BMC headquarters in Fort. File pic/Satej Shinde

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to be designated as an Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA), along with nine other corporations across the state. The move will give the civic bodies direct control over disaster response within city limits and reduce dependence on district-level decision-making.

The proposal, cleared in principle, is awaiting final approval from the. If approved, Maharashtra will become the first state to establish UDMAs across multiple cities.

BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. File pic/Ashish Raje

What changes

>> Municipal commissioners will lead disaster response as heads of UDMAs
>> Faster, localised decision-making during emergencies
>> Reduced reliance on district collectors for approvals
>> City-specific planning for risks such as flooding and heatwaves
At present, disaster response is handled by District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), headed by district collectors.

Why the shift

Currently, even city-level emergencies require coordination through district authorities.
Example:
>> Thane district covers multiple civic bodies
>> Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC)
>> Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC)
>> Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)
>> This often slows response time during crises

Legal basis

>> Provision introduced through the 2025 amendment to the Disaster Management Act, 2005
>> Section 41A allows states to create UDMAs in capital cities and all municipal corporation areas

Current status across the country

Only three cities currently have UDMA status:
>> Chennai
>> Bengaluru
>> Visakhapatnam

What it means for Mumbai

>> BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide will head the UDMA
>> Mumbai's district collectors will be members
>> Other agencies likely to be included: MMRDA, SRA, MHADA