AP govt to spend Rs 700 cr for SDRF modernisation: Deputy CM

In an effort to modernise State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to tackle situation of an emergency, the Andhra Pradesh government will spend Rs 700 crore in the SDRF, Deputy Chief Minister N Chinarajappa said today.
"The state government will spend nearly Rs 700 crore to modernise the SDRF in a bid to make rescue and relief operations as quickly as possible during emergencies like deluge, cyclone, and blasts," Chinarajappa, who also holds Disaster Management portfolio, told a press conference here.
Besides, the government will also deploy around 600 personnel from APSP battalions on deputation in the SDRF. This would be done on the lines of neighbouring state's Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).

The minister acknowledged the rescue operations carried out by over 500 personnel of OSDMA in the aftermath of cyclone 'Hudhud' that hit the coastal state last year in October.
Pointing out at the devastation caused by 'Hudhud' in Visakhapatnam and in the neighbouring districts, Chinarajappa said the catastrophe was a wake up call for the administration to work towards modernisation of SDRF.
He said the government is planning to set up new fire stations in major cities and towns of the state and provide disaster management training facility at the stations.
"If SDRF is modernised, we can easily minimise the human and property loss during cyclones, floods and other natural calamities and major accidents," he said.