Delhi Finalises 19-Acre Alipur Site for Disaster Response Force Headquarters
The Delhi government has nearly finalised a 19-acre plot of government land in Alipur, north Delhi, to establish the headquarters of the proposed State Disaster Response Force, officials announced on Monday. A final approval from higher authorities for the site selection remains pending.
Along with the main headquarters for the disaster response force, a dedicated training institute for civil defence volunteers will also be constructed on the same 19-acre site in Alipur. Officials noted that finalising the headquarters location is a crucial step that will pave the way for setting up necessary infrastructure and establishing administrative arrangements for the new force.
In addition to the central headquarters, the Delhi government is in the process of identifying and finalising specific locations for four regional SDRF battalion offices. These proposed offices will represent the East, West, North, and South SDRF battalions, expanding the operational reach of the force across the Capital.
The State Disaster Response Force is being created to significantly strengthen Delhi’s local capability to handle natural and man-made disasters. Once operational, the force will be deployed during emergency situations such as building collapses, fires, urban floods, earthquakes, and other crisis events.
At present, Delhi primarily relies on external and existing emergency bodies, including the National Disaster Response Force, the Delhi Fire Service, and other civic agencies, to manage major calamities. The establishment of a dedicated state-level force is intended to provide a tailored, immediate response mechanism within the city.
Work is currently underway on several other aspects of the SDRF proposal, including the development of an operational framework and plans for personnel deployment. The proposed force will be staffed primarily through deputations from the Central Armed Police Forces, the Delhi Armed Police, and the National Disaster Response Force. The government is additionally exploring options to recruit ex-Agniveers and other trained personnel to further augment the strength of the force.
