New Delhi, Sep 10 — The Delhi government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has decided to set up its own State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to ensure speedy rescue operations during disasters.
The decision, which has come close to the fatal paying guest (PG) building collapse in Satya Nikethan area in south Delhi, is being seen as a step towards strengthening the national capital's capacity to effectively respond to natural and man-made disasters, the government said in a statement.
The setting up of an SDRF will help ensure the quick deployment of a trained and specialised force at disaster sites, enable effective relief and rescue operations, and help minimise the loss of life and property, the statement said.
Along with setting up the SDRF, the Delhi government will also provide specialised training to Fire Department personnel and Civil Defence volunteers so that local manpower has the necessary skills and can contribute to relief and rescue operations with better coordination during disasters, it added.
A high-level meeting on the issue was held at the Delhi Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Delhi Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, NDRF Director General Piyush Anand, NDRF Inspector General Narendra Bundela and senior officers from various departments attended the meeting.
NDRF officials briefed the Chief Minister on various aspects of setting up an SDRF in Delhi.
They said a battalion of the SDRF could be raised in Delhi, with up to 1,100 personnel.
The battalion would function under the state government and, in the event of a disaster, would be able to reach the site quickly and carry out effective relief and rescue operations on its instructions.
NDRF officials said the force would provide the necessary training to personnel of the proposed SDRF. It would also assist with specialised equipment, keeping in mind Delhi's geographical conditions and local requirements.
"After the SDRF is set up, the Delhi government will also arrange training for Fire Department staff and Civil Defence volunteers so that relief and rescue operations can be carried out with better coordination among different agencies during disasters," the statement said.
"The Delhi government believes that a rapid response is the most important element of relief and rescue during a disaster. Setting up its own SDRF and training Fire Department personnel and Civil Defence volunteers will make the national capital's disaster management system stronger and more effective," the statement added.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to share a list of disaster management equipment and details of its storage with the departments so that the equipment can be made available immediately in the event of an accident or disaster.
CM Gupta said: "Setting up an SDRF in Delhi had been a long-standing requirement. Most states in the country have already established their own SDRFs. For a densely populated metropolitan city like Delhi, having its own SDRF is also the need of the hour. This important arrangement could not take shape during the tenure of previous governments for various reasons."
"The Delhi government will now move forward in this direction to reduce dependence on external assistance during disasters and strengthen the city's capacity for an immediate local response."
The Chief Minister said Delhi's physical infrastructure was expanding rapidly and its population was also continuously growing.
"Given the possibility of serious damage in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, strong preparedness and a rapid response mechanism are essential."
The objective is not only to respond after a disaster strikes but also to ensure that Delhi is prepared and equipped to deal with such situations in advance, CM Gupta added.
The meeting also discussed providing land in Delhi for the NDRF to station its battalion.
NDRF officials said they had land available in the outer areas of Delhi, where personnel remain deployed.
"However, given that Delhi is the national capital and important Central government institutions are located here, the presence of the NDRF in Central Delhi, North Delhi and South Delhi is also necessary," the statement said.