Delhi To Establish Dedicated Disaster Response Force, Says CM Rekha Gupta

On Thursday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta initiated the process of establishing a dedicated State Disaster Emergency Relief Force (SDERF), aiming to strengthen the capital’s ability to respond quickly to major emergencies.

The decision follows the September 6 collapse of a five-storey building in south Delhi’s Satya Niketan area. The structure, operating as the ‘Hostel Daze’ boys’ paying guest facility, collapsed and killed seven people, including five students, while several others suffered serious injuries.

Delhi currently relies on agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and the police for specialised disaster operations.

The proposed SDERF is intended to provide a trained response team within the capital, helping authorities reduce deployment time and improve coordination during rescue operations.

The proposed force will likely strengthen preparedness for earthquakes, floods and other emergencies requiring specialised rescue capabilities.

Delhi falls under Seismic Zone-IV, making earthquake preparedness particularly important.

Senior Delhi government officials and NDRF officers discussed recommendations for developing a modern SDERF during a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat.

CM Gupta thanked NDRF personnel for their work during the Satya Niketan rescue operation, praising their prompt response, commitment and coordination.

The government said the new force would help Delhi build greater self-reliance in disaster management while allowing specialised teams to reach affected areas more quickly.

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