New Delhi: To combat natural and man-made calamities effectively, NDRF has acquired about 70 acres of land in Uttarakhand for a new battalion base even as it is set to go shopping for a host of smart gadgets and machines.
The National Disaster Response Force is also planning to procure ‘Maruti 800'-sized earth movers which will help it clear debris in a small area hit by a disaster.
The specialised central force was at the forefront of rescue and relief operations in the Himalayan state when rains and floods ravaged it in June.
“We have been given a 65-70 acre land in Haridwar where we will base our new battalion. Once the unit begins operating from this base, we would be able to respond quickly to any tragedy in Uttarakhand,” NDRF chief Krishna Chaudhary told PTI.
Haridwar was zeroed-in as the new NDRF location sometime back by the National Disaster Management Authority keeping in mind the disaster vulnerability of the state, and sources said that in the backdrop of the tragedy in the state, the land clearance was given quickly.
This will be the 11th base for NDRF in the country, which has been raised by bringing on deputation personnel from various paramilitary forces and it is the first responder in case of any natural or man-made disasters.
Chaudhary, a 1979-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, said NDRF is set to shop for some modern gadgets which include new chipping hammers, fast moving boats, fire equipment and disaster-trained dogs.
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