The Delhi government will set up a dedicated 1,050-member State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to handle emergencies ranging from building collapses and fires to floods and earthquakes, officials told news agency PTI.
The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has approved the proposal to establish the force, which will operate through 18 companies. Thirteen will be assigned to Delhi’s districts, while the remaining five will serve as reserve units.
The move comes amid concerns over the capital’s lack of a dedicated disaster response force. At present, emergency operations rely on existing agencies, while the absence of a specialised unit has raised concerns about the speed and coordination of rescue efforts. A building collapse in Satya Niketan last month, in which seven people died, underscored the dangers posed by such incidents.
Each SDRF company will comprise 50 to 55 rescue and relief personnel, primarily drawn from central paramilitary forces. Some personnel will be recruited directly. The force will be led by a police officer of inspector general rank.
Before the force becomes operational, the proposal must receive approval from Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, following which the government will issue a formal notification. The force is expected to be established in phases over the coming months.
The Delhi government has also sought support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Gupta met senior NDRF officers last month to discuss the proposed unit. The NDRF will provide training and help procure specialised equipment suited to Delhi’s geographical conditions and disaster management requirements, officials said.
Alongside the new force, the government plans to train fire department personnel and Civil Defence volunteers to assist in rescue and relief operations during major emergencies. Gupta has also directed officials to share information about disaster management equipment and its storage locations with the departments concerned, so that supplies can be mobilised without delay.
The proposed force is intended to improve coordination and strengthen Delhi’s capacity to respond to major disasters. Its establishment will proceed once the lieutenant governor approves the Cabinet’s proposal.
