Top News

Taking a lesson from the accident in Satya Niketan, Delhi Government has taken a big decision towards strengthening disaster management. A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will now be constituted in Delhi to effectively deal with natural and man-made disasters. A maximum of 1100 soldiers will be included in this force. The decision to form SDRF was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday. In the meeting, there was discussion on further strengthening the relief and rescue system during the disaster in the capital.

The battalion will work under the state government

The proposed SDRF battalion will work under the Delhi government. In case of disaster or any serious emergency, on the orders of the state government, its soldiers will be able to reach the spot quickly and engage in relief and rescue operations. The decision to form SDRF was taken in a high-level meeting held with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. This battalion will work under the Delhi Government and in case of disaster or emergency, it will quickly reach the spot on the orders of the government and handle relief and rescue work.

NDRF will give training to soldiers

NDRF officials attending the meeting said that necessary training will be given by NDRF to the soldiers included in the proposed SDRF. Apart from this, keeping in mind the geographical location and local needs of Delhi, NDRF will also cooperate in providing special equipment required for SDRF. This will ensure availability of locally trained and well-equipped forces during disasters in Delhi. In critical situations, this force will play an important role in launching relief and rescue operations.

Training to fire fighters and civil defense volunteers also

With the formation of SDRF, Delhi government will also provide special training in disaster management to fire brigade personnel and civil defense volunteers. Its objective is to establish better coordination between various agencies in the event of a disaster, so that relief and rescue operations can be conducted rapidly. The government plans to have trained firefighters, civil defense volunteers and SDRF personnel work as a coordinated team in emergencies.

NDRF will provide training and equipment

In the meeting, NDRF officials told that necessary training will be given by NDRF to the soldiers included in the proposed SDRF. NDRF will also assist in providing special equipment as per the geographical location and local needs of Delhi. After the formation of SDRF, Delhi government will also provide training in disaster management to fire brigade personnel and civil defense volunteers. Its objective is to establish better coordination between various agencies during disasters and conduct relief and rescue operations quickly.

Emphasis on NDRF presence in Central, North and South Delhi

NDRF officials told the meeting that the force already has land available on the outskirts of Delhi, where soldiers are deployed all the time. However, being the capital of the country and many important institutions of the Central Government being located here, the presence of NDRF battalions is necessary in Central Delhi, North Delhi and South Delhi also. According to officials, such land is available with the Delhi government, which can be provided for the deployment of NDRF. On this, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has instructed the concerned officials to take immediate action.

The need was felt for a long time

According to the website of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), SDRF is present in all states and union territories except Delhi, Goa, Chandigarh, Andaman-Nicobar and Jharkhand. After its formation in Delhi, the number of such states and union territories will reduce to four. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that during the tenure of previous governments, the system of SDRF could not be made in Delhi due to various reasons. Now his government has taken steps in this direction. He directed the officials to share the list of equipment required for disaster management with the concerned departments, so that necessary resources can be made available immediately in case of emergency.

Follow the LALLURAM.COM MP channel on WhatsApp