Will Haryana CM Establish Two Battalions of Disaster Relief?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two battalions of Haryana Disaster Relief Force to be formed.
- New Fire and Disaster Training Institute to be established in Jind.
- Automatic issuance of fire safety certificates post-renewal.
- Plans for acquiring firefighting robots and modern equipment.
- 59 new fire stations to improve disaster response.
Chandigarh, Aug 30 (NationPress) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Saturday the establishment of two battalions of the Haryana Disaster Relief Force aimed at managing emergencies and aiding residents.
He revealed that the groundwork for a new Fire and Disaster Training Institute in Jind district will be initiated shortly. The Chief Minister conducted a review of the operations of the Fire and Emergency Services along with the Revenue and Disaster Management Department officials.
CM Saini stated that the renewal process for fire safety certificates will see the automatic issuance of no-objection certificates (NOC) upon application. Nonetheless, officials will perform random inspections within a 15-day window post-renewal.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for establishing accountability and timelines at all levels, linking the fire NOC to the CM Dashboard. He instructed stringent measures against officials who delay NOC applications. Furthermore, he directed the procurement of two fire engines featuring advanced 101-meter technology promptly.
Additionally, 13 hydraulic platform fire vehicles of varying heights and 250 firefighting vehicles for block-level deployment are slated for acquisition. The water pipe capacity in fire engines will be expanded to 1,000 metres to enhance their effectiveness in densely populated areas during emergencies.
The Chief Minister also mandated that the Fire and Disaster Training Institute in Jind adhere to NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) standards, offering training for disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and floods. He requested officials to compile data on all swimmers in the state and develop a dedicated portal.
In line with the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, strategic mapping has been undertaken to establish new fire stations, with plans to open 59 new fire stations across the state. Moreover, the Chief Minister directed the immediate acquisition of 10 firefighting robots, which will initially be deployed on a pilot basis.