NDRF’s 5th Battalion conducted Maharashtra’s first-ever workshop on CBRN Preparedness and Response on Friday at the 3D Auditorium in the Humboldt Penguin Section of Mumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo, Byculla. The programme was held under the guidance of NDRF Director General Piyush Anand and marked a major step toward enhancing readiness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies in the state.
Key Leadership and Expert Participation
Prof (Dr) Dinesh Kumar Aswal, Member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), attended the event as the chief guest and addressed participants with detailed insights on strengthening India’s approach to CBRN risks. He emphasised the critical need for faster preparedness, stronger inter-agency coordination and improved technical capacity to handle complex emergencies.
Wide Representation from Disaster and Environmental Agencies
Officials and specialists from NDMA, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Maharashtra Police, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), municipal corporations of Mumbai and Pimpri Chinchwad, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), National Institute of Virology (NIV), Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), fire services, civil defence and other emergency response wings took part in the workshop. District disaster management officers from across Maharashtra and NDRF personnel were also present, creating a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange.
Focus on Technical Training and Real-Time Preparedness
According to NDRF officials, the workshop aimed to deepen understanding of CBRN threats, streamline coordination among agencies and build stronger technical capabilities across departments. Participants received briefings on early-stage response, safety protocols, detection tools and multi-agency operational procedures during CBRN incidents.
First Session: Hazard Mapping and Policy Frameworks
Experts led discussions on CBRN risk mapping, vulnerability assessment and hazard identification using HAZAN, HAZOP and HIRA techniques. Sessions also covered institutional mechanisms for managing chemical disasters, policy frameworks, environmental rules for major accident hazard (MAH) units and coordination models under the state disaster management system.
Second Session: Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Response
The afternoon session focused on radiological and nuclear emergencies with an emphasis on stakeholder readiness, use of advanced technology, and field-level innovation. NDRF teams explained components of CBRN response systems, standard operating procedures and practical strategies for navigating real-world incidents.
Strengthening Maharashtra CBRN Preparedness
Officials said the workshop represents an important milestone in strengthening Maharashtra’s capacity to manage high-risk, multi-dimensional disasters. By bringing together experts from diverse agencies, the initiative is expected to improve operational synergy, accelerate disaster response and enhance overall preparedness for CBRN emergencies in the state.