With rising catastrophes, MHA to induct 4 more NDRF battalions

The Union Home Ministry (MHA) has approved raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Induction of the new battalions is expected to further enhance the presence and activities of NDRF in the coming years.

New Delhi: Taking cognizance of the increasing incidents of natural disasters across India, the Union Home Ministry (MHA) approved the raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

"Government has approved raising of four additional battalions of NDRF (Two battalions from the ITBP and one each from the Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force). One battalion has already been inducted from Assam Rifles and is undergoing disaster management training. Remaining three battalions are likely to be inducted by this year," officials said.

The induction of the additional four battalions is expected to further enhance the presence and activities of NDRF in the coming years.

Significantly, a parliamentary committee on Home Affairs has recently asked the MHA to strengthen the infrastructure and manpower in the disaster management organisation.

The committee headed by Congress MP Anand Sharma has recommended possession of adequate manpower and infrastructure in the regional response centres for the swift movement of the troops in case of disaster.

Officials said that NDRF teams are always available at 12 Battalion headquarters and 28 regional response centre (RRCs).

"Additionally, teams are also kept at 11 tactically pre-deployment locations (TPLs) throughout the year," the officials said.

Sources in NDRF said that infrastructure at four RRCs including Siliguri, Kolkata, Dwarka and Dehradun have been upgraded.

Construction of infrastructure at five RRCs including Bengaluru, Balasore, Kishangarh, Supaul and Vishakhapatnam are likely to be completed by March 2021.

"Land has been acquired for RRCs in Gandhinagar and construction work will start in the current financial year," said officials.

Further land has been acquired at eight RRC locations in Agartala, Ernakulam, Gangtok, Lucknow, Port Blair, Nurpur, Hyderabad and Gorakhpur.

The officials further said that 10 RRCs will be set up in Chennai, Ranchi, Dimapur, Aizawal, Mumbai, Noida, Bhopal, Srinagar, Panchkula and New Delhi.

"In many of the places, MHA has already acquired land. Accommodations are being provided by concerned states," officials said.

Meanwhile, 206 people are still missing following a flash flood at Dhiliganga and Rishiganga rivers in Chamoli whereas rescue teams have recovered 26 bodies till 8 am on Tuesday.

Identity of 24 deceased is yet to be ascertained whereas identification of two has been made.

Teams of NDRF, ITBP, Army have launched a joint rescue operation in the area.