Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved funding of 2,766 crore rupees for undertaking 1,950 works related to the prevention of natural disasters. These works include preventive measures against landslides, lightning, and floods, deepening of drains, afforestation, replenishment of groundwater to combat drought and construction and repair of small ponds and bridges, among other activities. Chairing a meeting of the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority in Mumbai today, Mr Shinde said that the administration must ensure the quality and timely completion of work. He added that modern technology must be adopted to save citizens’ lives under all circumstances. During the meeting, a decision to upgrade the State Emergency Operations Centre at the state secretariat, as well as those at the district level, was approved.