Chandigarh, January 19:- Haryana Government is moving fast towards setting up a dedicated Haryana State Disaster Response Force in compliance with the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025. A high-level review meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Finance Commissioner Mallya and Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Mishra, in which a comprehensive roadmap was prepared while reviewing the progress related to the establishment of the force.
In the meeting, the officials conducted a detailed review of the existing disaster response mechanism and discussed the strategic changes towards setting up a full-fledged HSDRF. The review focused on development of infrastructure, deployment of manpower, specialized training protocols and operational readiness to ensure prompt response during natural and man-made disasters.
Dr Mishra informed the meeting that the government has decided to form a new SDRF battalion with a larger number of Agniveers. He said that a rapid response team will be formed in all the divisions across the state to deal with any sensitive situation.
He said that the Disaster Management (Revision) Act, 2025 notified on March 29, 2025 empowers the states to constitute dedicated State Disaster Response Forces for special disaster response operations. Haryana has initiated a comprehensive inter-departmental coordination in which the police and the home department have been directed to operationalize the force.
Haryana has a strong base of trained disaster response personnel. The 1st Battalion of IRB Bhondsi functions as the nodal disaster response unit with 594 police personnel trained in Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue, Flood Rescue and Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response. The National Disaster Response Force is providing vital support through advanced training programmes to ensure that the personnel are at the forefront of disaster response techniques.
The meeting examined the conditions laid down by the Government of India for setting up a dedicated SDRF, which includes specially sanctioned posts for disaster management, dedicated infrastructure, special uniforms and equipment and senior level leadership. The Home Department has sanctioned a battalion with 1,149 posts, which will provide Haryana with a strong base and will be ready to operate quickly.
Dr. Sumita Mishra directed all the concerned departments to submit a comprehensive proposal detailing the time frame, resource requirement, infrastructure development plan, training programme and sequential implementation policy. She said that the establishment of a dedicated and professionally trained State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will significantly enhance Haryana's capacity to respond promptly and effectively to disasters and emergencies, thereby further strengthening the State Government's commitment towards public safety, disaster resilience and citizen welfare.