Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday declared that India is on the verge of becoming a global leader in disaster management, thanks to significant strides made by the country’s disaster response forces over the past decade.
Speaking at the Relief Commissioners and Disaster Response Forces Conference, Shah emphasized the transformation India has undergone in four key areas: capacity, speed, efficiency, and accuracy. “In the last 10 years, we have achieved a lot. Speed is critical in disaster management — timely response and saving lives are paramount. We have achieved this through improved training, technology adoption, and community-based early warning systems,” he said.
While the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah praised its exceptional evolution. “The NDRF has earned immense respect and a solid reputation across India. It has also played a vital role in strengthening State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) by training their personnel,” he noted.
He commended the work of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), NDRF, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), highlighting their collective role in pushing India toward global leadership in crisis management.
Shah pointed out that disaster management in India has undergone a philosophical shift. “A decade ago, it was primarily reactive — focused on post-disaster relief. Today, we are driven by a proactive, ‘Zero Casualty Approach’ that has impressed the global community,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of innovation and preparedness, Shah called for intensified research to enhance early warning systems and disaster mitigation strategies. He credited India’s shift to a collaborative model, or Bhagidari, that integrates central, state, and local government efforts — now even involving the community in disaster preparedness.
“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, our approach has become inclusive and integrated. We’re working towards a future where every youth is trained and ready to contribute to disaster response,” Shah added.
Highlighting the financial commitment to the sector, the Home Minister revealed that budget allocations for disaster management have seen a threefold increase in the past decade. Between 2004 and 2014, NDRF received Rs 28,000 crore, while in the 2014–2024 period, the figure jumped to Rs 84,000 crore. Similarly, SDRF funding grew from Rs 38,000 crore to Rs 1.44 lakh crore in the same comparison period.
Shah also spotlighted the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), a global initiative launched by Prime Minister Modi. With 49 international partners including governments, UN agencies, multilateral banks, the private sector, and academia, CDRI focuses on promoting infrastructure that can withstand climate and disaster-related challenges.
“With our multidimensional strategy, enhanced funding, and collective will, India is well on its way to setting the global benchmark for disaster resilience,” Shah concluded.