CM Rekha Gupta initiates process for a dedicated force of up to 1,100 personnel to strengthen Delhi’s emergency preparedness and reduce dependence on external disaster response agencies
NEW DELHI: Days after the deadly building collapse in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan that claimed seven lives, the Delhi government has initiated the process of establishing its own State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to strengthen the national Capital’s ability to respond to major emergencies.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the move following a high level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, where officials discussed the structure and requirements for creating a dedicated disaster response unit for the city.
Delhi has so far relied on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and local police for specialised assistance during major disasters and emergencies. The proposed SDRF is expected to reduce response times and improve coordination during rescue and relief operations.
Force may have up to 1,100 personnel
Officials from the NDRF briefed the Chief Minister on the proposed structure of the force and informed her that an SDRF battalion in Delhi could comprise up to 1,100 personnel.
The battalion would operate under the Delhi government and, when directed by the state authorities, would be capable of reaching disaster sites quickly and undertaking specialised rescue and relief operations.
The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and attended by Delhi Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, NDRF Director General Piyush Anand, Inspector General Narendra Bundela and senior officials from various government departments.
Gupta said establishing an SDRF had been overdue for Delhi and stressed the need for the Capital to develop greater local capacity to deal with emergencies.
“Most states in the country have already established an SDRF having one for a densely populated metropolis like Delhi is the need of the hour,” she said according to the report.
The Chief Minister said the government would move ahead with the initiative to reduce reliance on external assistance and strengthen Delhi’s capacity for immediate disaster response.
Focus on preparedness and rapid response
The proposed force is intended not only to respond after disasters occur but also to improve Delhi’s preparedness for potential emergencies.
The move follows the recent collapse of a boys’ paying guest building in Satya Niketan, where rescue and relief operations required coordination between multiple agencies. The incident highlighted the importance of having specialised response capabilities available locally.
Delhi faces several disaster risks, including earthquakes, urban flooding and structural emergencies. The Capital falls under Seismic Zone IV making earthquake preparedness particularly important.
The creation of a dedicated SDRF is expected to give Delhi an additional specialised force capable of responding rapidly to such incidents while improving coordination between disaster management agencies.
The government will now proceed with the steps required to establish and operationalise the force.