The Delhi Cabinet is expected to discuss a proposal to establish a dedicated State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve rescue operations in the national capital officials familiar with the matter said.
The proposed force aims to ensure a faster response to emergencies, including building collapses, fires, floods earthquakes and industrial accidents. Delhi currently depends on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police and other agencies to conduct rescue and relief operations.
The plan gained momentum in September following the building collapse in Satya Niketan that killed seven people. The incident prompted the government to intensify efforts to establish a specialised disaster response agency for the capital.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a meeting with NDRF and Delhi government officials in September to discuss the proposed force’s structure and functioning. The meeting took place days after the Satya Niketan incident during which multiple agencies were involved in a prolonged rescue operation.
The proposed SDRF is expected to have up to 1,100 personnel who will receive specialised training from the NDRF. The government is considering deploying trained personnel from central armed police forces, the Delhi Armed Police and the NDRF alongside recruiting personnel specifically for the new force.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has prepared an operational framework and shared its recommendations with the government. Officials are also considering a site in Alipur for the force’s headquarters, while infrastructure and administrative arrangements are being examined.
In June, reported that the Delhi government had sought suggestions from the NDRF and the National Institute of Disaster Management on establishing the force. The objective is to create a permanent disaster response mechanism within the capital, reduce mobilisation time and improve coordination among emergency agencies.
The NDRF is also expected to assist the Delhi government in procuring specialised equipment suited to the capital’s geographical conditions and local requirements.
As part of the broader preparedness plan, the government intends to train Delhi Fire Services personnel and civil defence volunteers in specialised disaster response skills. The initiative is aimed at improving coordination between agencies during rescue and relief operations.
Officials have also been directed to prepare an inventory of disaster management equipment available with various agencies, including details of where the equipment is stored. The information is expected to help authorities identify available resources and mobilise them quickly during emergencies.
The proposed force is considered important given Delhi’s exposure to multiple disaster risks. The capital falls in seismic Zone IV, indicating a high level of earthquake risk and regularly faces monsoon related flooding. Densely populated neighbourhoods and vulnerable buildings add to the challenges of emergency management.
The proposal reflects the government’s effort to establish a dedicated, locally available disaster response mechanism. However the force’s final structure, staffing arrangements and operational details remain subject to the government’s decision.