The Delhi government has sought suggestions from the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and the National Disaster Response Force to set up its own Disaster Response Force (SDRF), an official familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
According to the official, one of the main proposals under consideration is to include retired personnel from the National Disaster Response Force in the new force, as they have experience in dealing with earthquakes, floods, building collapses, fires and other emergencies and can help Delhi develop a trained disaster response cadre instead of starting from scratch.
The official added that consultations are underway with disaster management experts and agencies, including NIDM and NDRF, to finalize the structure, manpower and operational framework of the proposed force.
The National Disaster Response Fund is training government disaster response units across the country and has developed standard operating procedures.
This proposal comes amid growing concerns about Delhi’s vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, as it falls within the high-risk seismic zone 4 and has witnessed frequent seasonal floods, fire incidents and building collapses.
The government is also considering making sustainable development funds in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Besides search and rescue operations, the Rapid Response Fund can assist with preparedness drills, disaster risk assessments, community outreach programs, and emergency planning.
According to the official, the goal is to create a permanent, locally available force capable of quickly responding to emergency situations rather than relying solely on overseas deployments.
During the previous Aam Aadmi Party government, the Revenue Department had drawn up a proposal to raise the Sustainable Development Fund, citing the Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Fund, which helped save the Silkyara Tunnel.
