Govt. approves upgradation of two additional battalions for NDRF

New Delhi, Aug.26 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved upgradation/conversion of two additional battalions for National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

With these two additional battalions the strength of NDRF battalions(bns) will reach the mark of ten battalions from the present eight battalions.

The proposal approved by the Cabinet includes: Upgradation/conversion of two standard battalions, i.e one each from Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) respectively into NDRF battalion with 1149 personnel each to be located at Patna (Bihar) and Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh).

It also includes procurement of disaster response equipments, vehicles, dogs, communication equipments and other essential equipments to operationalize these two NDRF battalions.

The approval of the proposal also includes a sanction of Rs.79.58 crore (non recurring) and Rs.72.08 crore (recurring) for this upgradation/conversion.

The placement of NDRF Battalions at Patna and Vijaywada will cut short the response time for immediate intervention by NDRF battalion in a disaster situation viz. flood, cyclone, and earthquake etc. and also man made disasters in eastern U.P., Bihar and North Bengal and in the eastern coast especially in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.

It will also help in quick intervention during any disaster or threatening disaster and ensure prompt search, rescue and relief operation, thereby upgrading the Government's capacity to respond effectively and promptly to citizens in distress. (ANI)