Delhi’s cabinet has approved a 1,050-member State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), with nearly 60 Central Armed Police Forces personnel planned for deployment in each of the capital’s 13 districts and about 300 personnel kept ready for rapid mobilisation during emergencies.
The force is being established to respond to building collapses, urban flooding, earthquakes and other disasters requiring specialised search-and-rescue operations. Its responsibilities will include evacuating stranded residents, locating people trapped under debris and operating advanced equipment in dangerous conditions.
An official said the process to establish the force had begun following the cabinet’s approval and that deployment was being targeted within a month. The personnel will be provided accommodation at the district level. Recruitment rules for the force are yet to be framed.
The approved force will draw 90% of its personnel from the CAPF on deputation, while the remaining 10% will be recruited directly. A senior Indian Police Service officer will head the SDRF and coordinate with government and security agencies. The force will function under the supervision of the revenue department, while its temporary headquarters will be arranged in the short term. Land at Alipur may be provided for a permanent headquarters.
The proposed equipment includes hydraulic tools for cutting through or moving heavy debris, life detectors for locating survivors beneath rubble, and breathing apparatus for work in smoke-filled or oxygen-deficient spaces. Inflatable boats may be used during floods, while specialised collapsed-structure rescue equipment will help teams operate around unstable buildings and extract victims without triggering further collapse.
Delhi’s physical layout is one of the reasons the government has opted for district-level deployment. Congested roads, narrow lanes, densely populated neighbourhoods and unauthorised construction can slow the movement of rescue teams after an incident. Keeping trained personnel closer to affected areas is intended to reduce mobilisation time, particularly in locations where access for larger emergency vehicles is difficult.
The SDRF will operate under the orders of district magistrates or other competent district-level authorities. It will coordinate with the Delhi Fire Services, police and other emergency responders during operations. Periodic training is also planned to maintain the force’s operational readiness.
The new operational force will work alongside the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which remains the capital’s apex body for disaster planning, coordination and preparedness. While the DDMA is responsible for planning and preparedness, the SDRF is being created as an on-ground response unit for search and rescue, evacuation and emergency operations. The immediate next steps are to frame recruitment rules, arrange accommodation and temporary headquarters, and begin deployment of the district teams.
