Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Committee, Approves Rs. 5,495 Cr for Disaster Mitigation Projects

The High-Level Committee’s recent decisions mark a significant step in bolstering India’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

A High-Level Committee chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has approved several disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects aimed at enhancing disaster resilience across India. The committee, which includes the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, convened in New Delhi to review and approve proposals for funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Key Approvals and Allocations:

Urban Flood Management: The committee approved six project proposals totaling Rs. 2,514.36 crore for urban flood management in six major cities: Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune. This follows a prior approval for Chennai under a similar project, costing Rs. 561.29 crore.

Fire Services Expansion: Three projects for the expansion and modernization of fire services in Assam, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu were approved with a total allocation of Rs. 810.64 crore. This is part of a broader Rs. 5,000 crore allocation under the NDRF for fire services, which has already supported proposals in 11 states totaling Rs. 1,691.43 crore.

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Mitigation: A project to mitigate GLOF risks in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh received approval for Rs. 150 crore. This initiative aims to address risks associated with glacial lake outburst floods in these hill states.

Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme: The committee approved Rs. 470.50 crore for the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS), which will be implemented in 315 of the most disaster-prone districts. The scheme focuses on training 1,300 Master Trainers and 2.37 lakh volunteers from organizations such as NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts & Guides in disaster preparedness and response. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening community-based disaster response.

Additional Funding:

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): Rs. 6,348 crore has been released to 14 states.

State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF): Rs. 672 crore has been allocated to six states.

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF): Rs. 4,265 crore has been distributed to ten states.

Strategic Vision:

These approvals reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing disaster management and resilience. Under the leadership of Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs is focused on implementing comprehensive measures to minimize the impact of disasters, ensuring effective management, and strengthening disaster risk reduction systems.

The High-Level Committee’s recent decisions mark a significant step in bolstering India’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities. By investing in urban flood management, fire services, GLOF risk mitigation, and community training, the government aims to build a disaster-resilient India and safeguard lives and property across the country.