“The show at Kevadia was showcasing the professional capabilities of modern NDRF ready to handle the future challenges,” S.N. Pradhan DG NDRF

“The show at National Unity Day parade at Kevadia was showcasing the professional capabilities of modern NDRF and ready to handle the future challenges. It was a professional demonstration by the force to show their preparedness to face the new challenges specially the industrial disaster in modern India,” said S.N. Pradhan DG NDRF. He is in Kevadia to witness and participate in Ekta Diwas celebrations attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other dignitaries.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a specialised force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation comes in front of them. The teams have their presence almost all locations in the country to reach in shortest possible time in case of disaster. However with rapid development the force is eyeing new challenges to face.

“New challenges are part of modern India and with rapid industrialisation we are eyeing new challenges related to chemical, biological and radiological disasters. We have to be prepare for such challenges and save people as well as the saviors. Climate change is one such area which comes as a serious threat to us. This year almost 60% area of the country witnessed heavy rains, flash floods and floods where we have to deploy our all 200 units. This type of situation is not witnessed in last 25 years. The Odisha cyclone is one such example where it happened in the month of May the peak of summer. The surprise and frequency factor is high and we have to prepare for the same,” said Pradhan.

To fight disaster the NDRF is in the process to increase the manpower and upgradation of equipments. “We have 200 teams and need more battalions to reach the disaster. Four battalions are already sanctioned and others are in pipeline. We also give proposal to the government for one female battalion per unit and process already starts to include 100 to 120 such personnel per unit shortly. We already talked to Central Armed Police Forces about the proposal and every unit is in the process to ready the infrastructure for the female battalion. As far as the equipments are concerned we already in process of new authorisation of 310 equipments with us for modernisation and upgradation to face the challenges putting in front of us,” said Pradhan.

Pradhan further said that the NDRF teams has their presence in important areas. The Regional Response Team strength increase to 40 from 28 and soon will be about 50 covers the major industrial pockets, coastal areas like South Odisha. He said they need NDRF presence in Chhattisgarh and first stars with a target to have their presence in every state and Union Territory followed by sub formation at industrial cities, multiplexes and others. They are going to create hubs and it will going to be multiply in future.

Pradhan also put focus on the call from the state to act quick in times of disaster. “We are always ready to response in less than 15 minutes to attend the disaster or calamity, but the call has to be come from the state as they are the authorised one to take the call first. We already make it clear to the state government not to hesitate to inform us in advance just like the Odisha goverment did to tackle the severe cyclone Fani. We want all units to work together to save lives and property in the time of disaster rather than to work separately,” said Pradhan.

The 6BN Vadodara NDRF team present a spectacular display of their expertise to showcase their preparedness. “Under the guidance of commandant R.S. Joon and instruction by DG S.N. Pradhan, nearly 70 to 75 jawans of our unit showcase their strength at Kevadia to face the challenges putting in front of them. It was a professional show where we create real time situations to respond and act to save lives and properties,” said PRO R.K. Mishra deputy commandant 6BN NDRF. Many officials of NDRF remain present at the event.