The Hindu Business Line : Normalcy returns to Mumbai

On Tuesday people reported back to work in full strength and the lifeline of Mumbai - the suburban trains - were carrying passengers to its full capacity.

Though there were heavy showers on Sunday, water had receded from all the highways and major arterial roads by Monday night. Traffic has been restored to normal.

Most of the banks, corporate offices and financial institutions were running normally on Tuesday.

It is reliably learnt that floodwaters had entered into the strong room of many banks resulting in currency notes getting soiled. Banks have approached the Reserve Bank of India for exchange of these notes.

Mr P.P. Jain, General Manager, Retail Banking and Public Relations, Bank of India, said, "Since Friday, operations are back to normal. Last week we did face problems like lack of connectivity, water logging in some branches and fewer staff than normal. But there was no major disruption of banking operations. Now things are back to normal," he said.

Meanwhile, municipal authorities are busy clearing tonnes of garbage from various places and disinfecting the areas to avoid spread of epidemic. According to the Additional Municipal Commissioner, Mr Manu Kumar Srivastav, more than 39,000 tonnes of garbage were cleared in the last three days.

Power supply was yet to be restored in places like Kurla, Kalina, Sakinaka and Chunabhatti. Water supply to most of localities has been restored, except in those areas which do not have sufficient power supply.

Dr Patangrao Kadam, Minister for Relief Works and Rehabilitation, speaking to the media on Tuesday said that in order to cope with the disaster, the State was planning to introduce a Disaster Management Bill for which consultation within the Government and with the Centre was under way.

In view of the grave situation caused by the floods, the State Level Bankers' Committee will hold an emergency meeting here on Wednesday.

The committee will discuss financial packages and credit facilities at concessional rates for the affected.

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