Monsoon preparedness for Mumbaikars

Corporate NGO Joint Initiative for Disaster Management

Initial light rains will mix with the dust and oils on the road to produce a very slippery surface. Such conditions must be treated with extreme caution as tyres tend to have less grip on slippery surfaces is one of the safety tips in a Apollo Tyres Safe Drive handbook that touched some new milestones in it's second year. The numbers have reached 300,000 and is a significant milestone considering that the total vehicle population in Mumbai limits stands at 6.1 lac approximately (cars, SUVs, MUVs, 4X4).

Ideally this means that every second car in Mumbai would benefit from the Apollo Tyres Safe drive handbook. The booklet contains contact numbers of disaster management cells, fire brigade, coast guards, towing/crane facilities, drainage control, police stations, hospital/blood banks and other emergency services across Mumbai.

Another significant milestone has been the involvement of one & all in this initiative, right from a concerned and caring Individual to Apollo Tyres' dealers to Traffic police-Mumbai to Fire Brigade-Mumbai to BMC commissioner to the Mayor,Ms.Shubha Raul herself........this makes Safe drive an Unique activity for Public good and safety. Apollo Tyres Ltd, India's largest tyre manufacturer, and Corporate Voluntary Organization Networking for Disaster Management (CVONDM), a leading Maharashtra-based NGO, compiled a comprehensive Disaster Management booklet.

Mr P R Singh, Zonal Manager, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, "What began as a small initiative last year, has now become an annual activity for us. I would like to thank the citizens of this city for their overwhelming response and support to Safe Drive. This year, we have made this booklet more comprehensive by adding safety tips, and making it usable in rainy condition as well as increasing its readability in fading light conditions."

The entire distribution was spread into 3 main parts: On ground distribution led by Apollo Tyres employees across Mumbai from June 5 – 8, 2007, Project Safe Drive also involved Mumbaikars as volunteers or Safe Drive Champions,, to create awareness and help in the distribution of the handbook, and Apollo Tyres dealer network.

CVONDM's Sundeep Sharma said, "The objective is to empower every individual on the street and make them aware of the measures they can take in times of crisis and respond better." Mr Nitin Pandey, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, "We are happy that Mumbaikars have come forward and collected a copy of the booklet, and together ensure a safe monsoon. This booklet, will enable motorists to be proactive and face emergencies armed with the right information."

Almost all the major points across Mumbai were covered by the on ground team which effected one of the best city-wide distribution campaign.The total tally of the handbooks distributed by this team alone is 250,000. On the first day at Marine Drive, Mantralaya, V.T. Station, Fountain, Metro Adlabs, Mohamadali road Shalimar, Haji Ali, Tardeo, and Before JJ flyover. On the second day at Worli naka, Race course signal, Dadar T.T., Dadar Shivsena bhavan, Bengal chemicals, Siddhivinayak Signal at sah & sanghi, Mahim St. Micheal church, and Mahim causeway Signal. On the third day, the distribution points included: Bandra HP petrol pump, Sion station, Sion Hospital, Juhu circle, Andheri Indian Oil signal, Uncles kitchen (Malad), Inorbit mall, Borivli Flyover, and Goregaon Flyover. On the final day, the distribution points were at: Ghatkopar shoppers stop, Kurla CST road, Thane toll naka, Mulund Nirmal lifestyle, Sakinaka Road, Vashi toll naka, Chembur Diamond garden, Airport Signal, Jogeshwari, Bandra Kurla complex and Milan Subway.

The SAFE DRIVE CHAMPIONS as the key channels who took the initiative further on their own by either being part of the on-ground distribution or by distributing these handbooks in their surroundings, organizations etc. There have been 22 such Safe drive Champions who have come forward for the initiative. Apart from the hard copy of the handbooks they have also spread the awareness by circulating the PDF copy across their organization. They also registered themselves as a Champion (volunteers) by sending SAFE DRIVE as a sms to 8558, or calling on 67126948 and the number aired by RED FM.

One of the most important channel in this entire handbook distribution drive has been the Dealer network of Apollo Tyres , the entire fraternity has come forward with full support in this initiative, Close to 15000 handbooks have been distributed by this channel alone from their counters as well as nearby petrol pumps,retail shops etc.

Safety Tips

* Ensure that this handbook is in the glove box at all times.
* A well equipped first aid kit with bandage, pain relief spray, antiseptic cream, anti-allergic like Avil, Asprin, mosquito repellent cream or spray, like Odomos.
* Car drivers with diabetes, blood pressure, asthma or illness for which they take prescription drugs, should keep a stock of their medicine in the car.
* In a disaster-like situation instead of trying to reach home, first reach the nearest acquaintance. Try to minimise travel.
* Lower your window panes while driving through water logged areas.
* Carry out pre-monsoon checks of batteries, tyres, electrical wiring, engine, maintenance of your car including wipers and top-up the fuel of your car during the monsoon.
* Initial light rains will mix with the dust and oils on the road to produce a very slippery surface. Such conditions must be treated with extreme caution as tyres tend to have less grip on slippery surfaces.
* Ensure that your tyres have the recommended air pressure and sufficient tread depth.
* Install in your car a mobile battery charger and ensure your FM radio is in working condition to tune into announcements.
* Ensure that you have at least one CDMA cell phone in the car. It seems that CDMA phones worked more effectively than GSM phone during an emergency.

Handy tools to be kept in the car:

* Hammer: to break the glass on the driver's window from the middle/centre, in case of an auto-lock system failure
* Thick long, at least 20 metres, nylon rope with a hook. To be kept in the dicky
* Fully-charged powerful torch
* Plastic sheets and spare umbrella
* Dry and non-perishable food items to be kept in vacuum container in ample quantity. Dry fruits are recommended.
* At least two litres of bottled water to be filled daily.
* A working whistle

Create in the contact list of your cell phone I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) to enable any rescuer to inform your nearest ones at the earliest.

Never drive alone preferably in the disaster-prone areas

Avoid low lying areas

At any time, your life is more precious than your car, so in case you are stuck, be prepared to park and walk.