Union Home Minister Amit Shah Attends NDRF’s 20th Raising Day in Vijayawada, Inaugurates Projects Worth ₹220 Crore

Vijayawada: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah graced the 20th Raising Day ceremony of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, as the Chief Guest. The event marked significant milestones in disaster management and development, with the inauguration and foundation laying of projects worth approximately ₹220 crore.

Key projects unveiled included the National South Campus of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), the 10th Battalion of the NDRF, and the Regional Response Centre at Supaul Campus. Shah also laid the foundation stone for a new ‘Integrated Shooting Range’ at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad and inaugurated the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory in Tirupati.

In his address, Shah highlighted the pivotal role of the NDRF in disaster response and lauded the Narendra Modi government for its proactive approach to disaster management. “When natural calamities strike, NDRF comes to the rescue, and when man-made calamities occur, the Modi government steps in to help,” he said.

Shah praised the leadership of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, commending his sound administrative strategies that have propelled the state’s development. He also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contributions, stating that investments and aid exceeding ₹3 lakh crore have been allocated to Andhra Pradesh in the last six months.

Shah outlined several significant initiatives for Andhra Pradesh, including:

• ₹27,000 Crore for Amaravati Development: Accelerating efforts to realize Amaravati as the state capital with funding through HUDCO and the World Bank.
• ₹11,000 Crore for Visakhapatnam Steel Plant: Aimed at securing the plant’s long-term viability.
• Polavaram Water Project: Ensuring water supply to every corner of the state by 2028.
• AIIMS Hospital: Commencement of a ₹1,600 crore project to enhance healthcare infrastructure.
• Green Hydrogen Hub in Visakhapatnam: Plans to invest ₹2 lakh crore, positioning the city as a green hydrogen hub.
• Highway and Infrastructure Projects: Approval of projects worth ₹1.2 lakh crore in the last six months.

Shah credited Prime Minister Modi for transforming India’s disaster management approach from reactive to proactive. He highlighted the government’s focus on achieving zero casualties during disasters and emphasized the importance of coordination among stakeholders, from gram panchayats to national agencies.

Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has emerged as a global leader in disaster management, with initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which now includes 48 member countries. Shah also noted the substantial increase in disaster management funding, from ₹12,500 crore under the 12th Finance Commission to ₹61,000 crore under the 14th Finance Commission.

Shah praised the NDRF for its exemplary performance, both domestically and internationally, noting its recognition in disaster-stricken countries like Nepal, Indonesia, and Turkey. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the NDRF, NDMA, and NIDM in implementing advanced disaster management strategies.

The Home Minister underscored the government’s commitment to public awareness through apps, websites, and portals designed to enhance disaster preparedness. He also mentioned the expansion of Dial 112 and the Common Alert Protocol services.

Shah thanked N. Chandrababu Naidu for providing land at no cost for establishing the 10th Battalion of the NDRF and the South India branch of the NIDM. He emphasized the strong partnership between the state and central governments in advancing disaster management and developmental goals.