New Delhi: In a significant move to enhance disaster resilience and management across India, a High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, has approved a series of disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects for various states. The meeting, held today in New Delhi, included Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog as members.
The HLC reviewed nine proposals seeking funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). These proposals aim to address urban flooding in six cities, mitigate Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in four hill states, and strengthen fire services in three states. Additionally, the committee considered a proposal to implement the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme in all 28 states.
To further Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a disaster-resilient India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, has undertaken numerous initiatives to bolster the nation’s disaster management systems. These efforts aim to minimize loss of life and property during disasters through a robust disaster risk reduction framework.
Urban Flood Management Projects
The HLC approved six project proposals for urban flood management in the metro cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune. These projects, spanning Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, will be implemented at a total cost of ₹2514.36 crore. Previously, on November 27, 2023, the HLC approved a flood management project for Chennai, Tamil Nadu, costing ₹561.29 crore.
Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services
The committee also sanctioned three project proposals for the expansion and modernization of fire services in Assam, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, with a total outlay of ₹810.64 crore. The Central Government has allocated ₹5000 crore under the NDRF for this scheme, having already approved proposals from 11 states amounting to ₹1691.43 crore.
GLOF Risk Mitigation
To address GLOF risks, the HLC approved a project for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh with a total outlay of ₹150 crore. This project aims to provide the necessary impetus for these states to implement essential mitigation measures.
Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme
In line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of community-based disaster response, the HLC approved the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS) with an outlay of ₹470.50 crore from the NDRF. The scheme will be implemented in 315 of the most disaster-prone districts, training 1300 Aapda Mitra Volunteers as Master Trainers and 2.37 lakh volunteers from NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts & Guides (BS&G) in disaster preparedness and response. This initiative builds on the earlier Aapda Mitra scheme, which trained around 1 lakh community volunteers in 350 disaster-prone districts.
Financial Allocations
During the current financial year, the Central Government has released ₹6348 crore to 14 states under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and ₹672 crore to six states under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF). Additionally, ₹4265 crore has been disbursed to ten states under the NDRF.
