SDRF likely to be ready for duty by monsoon

LUCKNOW: The State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) being constituted to deal with natural and other calamities is likely to be in action this monsoon. The state government has completed recruitment of 200 personnel. The remaining 65 vacant posts will be filled this year, a home department officer said on Monday.

The training of the SDRF personnel will be held at the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) centre in Ghaziabad. The state government has released funds for purchase of vehicles and equipment for the force.

“Once the training is over, the SDRF will be deployed in the flood zones of the state during the monsoon to carry out relief and rescue work,” said the home department officer.

The dress and logo of the new force and will be finalised soon, he added.

The state government has expedited work on the disaster management project after the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Unchahar thermal power station blast led to death of over 30 people in November.

When the state government decided to constitute the SDRF to organise relief and rescue operations, it also considered taking the assistance of the central agencies to set up the specialised force. The Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) has been made the nodal agency for establishment of the SDRF.

The SDRF office is coming up on 60-acre land in the Sarojni Nagar area of Lucknow. The state government has allocated Rs 150 crore for construction work. It has decided to purchase equipment and vehicles through e-tendering. Around Rs 59 crore will be spent on equipment and Rs 5 crore on vehicles.

“The SDRF will purchase satellite phones and fire proof jackets as well,” the officer said.

The SDRF will be trained to fight chemical disaster too.