After years of delays, the Haryana Government has decided to fast-track the operational launch of its dedicated State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). According to a report by The Tribune, the government has cleared major administrative hurdles to ensure the force is “boots on the ground” before the next monsoon season.
Why the Urgency? The decision comes in the wake of recent climatic erraticism and the increasing frequency of floods and urban waterlogging incidents in the state.
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Current Reliance: Currently, Haryana relies heavily on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police/home guards (who lack specialized equipment) during emergencies.
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The Goal: The dedicated SDRF will provide the state with an autonomous, highly trained rapid reaction team capable of handling chemical spills, structural collapses, and flood rescue operations without waiting for central deployment.
Operational Blueprint
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Strength: The government has sanctioned the recruitment and deputation of over 1,300 personnel for the force.
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Structure: The SDRF will be modeled strictly on the lines of the NDRF.
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Locations: To ensure quick mobilization, the force will be stationed at three strategic locations:
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Panchkula (North Haryana coverage)
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Rohtak (Central Haryana)
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Hisar/Gurugram (South/West Haryana coverage)
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Immediate Steps The Home Department has been directed to expedite the procurement of specialized rescue gear, including inflatable boats, sonar equipment, and heavy cutters. The training of the first batch of personnel is expected to commence within the next few weeks at the Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban