New Delhi: Post-pandemic, the Delhi Government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is hypervigilant of any disaster which leads to loss of life in Delhi. Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot directed the Delhi Disaster Management Authority to do in-depth research to study the disaster management practice in Delhi and how to improve it. From the preliminary research, it has been observed that sometimes the necessary equipment to handle the emergency situation is not available with the Quick Response Teams (QRTs) of District Disaster Management Authorities consisting of Civil Defense Volunteers (CDVs) for carrying out immediate rescue operations.
The Quick Response Teams (QRTs) round the clock support District Disaster Management Authorities by providing a quick response in incidents of fires, building collapses and drowning. Though these incidents are minor in nature and cannot be classified as Disasters as defined in the Disaster Management Act, 2005, considering the emergency, these calls are attended to with all seriousness by QRTs. The matter was discussed with the on-ground volunteers and teams who work in such emergency situations, to understand their challenges and make the job of saving lives easier.
The Delhi Government is going to invest more than 5 crore rupees to fill this gap by purchasing necessary equipment like rope ladder, searchlight, pickaxe, sledge hammer, spreader battery and so on for all the 11 districts of Delhi. In addition, 5 aluminum boats and 10 inflatable rescue boats will also be purchased for distribution to the 5 flood-prone districts of Delhi i.e. North East, East, North, Central & South East. For operating these boats, 50 CDVs will be trained for operating the boats and also as drivers in the flood-prone districts.
Furthermore, heavy equipment like crane & forklifts, truck aerial lift, Dumper, genset with trolley, earth mover, recovery van beam and so on will be procured on rent basis through empaneled vendors so that services of these heavy equipment/machinery can be availed whenever these are essentially required by the districts to handle an emergency situation. Since the equipment for the districts will be operated by CDVs, Delhi Government has also planned to organize an advance training program for the CDVs.
Revenue Minister of Delhi Kailash Gahlot said “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, we are going to reimagine the disaster management practice in Delhi to make the city disaster-proof. Post-pandemic, citizens’ safety is our top most priority and I will take all the measures to protect my fellow citizens from any kind of disaster.”
He further said “We have a team of hardworking CDVs with selfless service spirit across Delhi. This investment will support them in their challenging job and strengthen their resolve to serve the citizens of Delhi.”
He also directed the officers concerned to ensure smooth execution and continued research to explore gaps and solutions to strengthen disaster management practice in Delhi.
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