The Delhi government has sent a proposal to the Cabinet to form a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) with 18 teams, aiming to strengthen rescue operations during building collapses, fires, flooding and other urban emergencies.
The proposal was prepared by the Revenue Department and could be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting, according to a report by Jagran – New Delhi. Each proposed SDRF team will have 47 personnel. The force is intended to provide a trained, state-level response capability for disasters requiring rapid rescue and relief operations.
Delhi currently relies on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Delhi Fire Services and the police during major emergencies. The proposed SDRF would give the city its own specialised disaster-response unit, allowing trained local teams to be mobilised when an incident is reported.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of the challenges faced by emergency agencies in Delhi’s densely populated areas. Narrow lanes, multi-storey buildings and congested neighbourhoods can make access difficult during fires and building collapses. The report said that trained personnel and specialised equipment would be important for rescue operations in such locations.
The proposed force would also be expected to respond to waterlogging and flood-like conditions, earthquakes and industrial accidents. These incidents can require coordinated operations involving search and rescue, evacuation, relief and emergency support across multiple agencies.
At present, the NDRF is called in for situations requiring specialised disaster-response capabilities, while the Delhi Fire Services and police handle fire, rescue, crowd management and law-and-order responsibilities within the city. The proposed SDRF is expected to reduce dependence on outside forces for initial response and improve coordination among agencies during emergencies.
The formation of the force will not be immediate. If the Cabinet approves the proposal, the government will have to proceed with the formal establishment of the SDRF, deployment of personnel, training and procurement of the required resources. The number of teams and personnel outlined in the proposal would therefore become operational only after these administrative and logistical steps are completed.
The proposal places local emergency-response capacity at the centre of Delhi’s disaster-preparedness planning. Its effectiveness will depend on Cabinet approval and the subsequent arrangements for staffing, specialised equipment, training and coordination with the NDRF, fire services and police. The next expected milestone is consideration of the proposal at a Cabinet meeting.
