Chandigarh, August, 31: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday announced the establishment of two battalions of the state disaster relief force to strengthen emergency response capabilities.
Reviewing the functioning of fire and emergency services under the revenue and disaster management department, Saini said the renewal of fire safety certificates will be streamlined.
“No objection certificates (NoC) will be granted automatically upon application, but random checks will be conducted within 15 days of renewal,” he said. He also directed that accountability and fixed timelines be enforced at all levels, and that fire NoCs be linked to the Chief Minister’s dashboard. Strict action, he added, will be taken against officials who delay NoC applications.
The chief minister instructed the procurement of two fire engines with advanced 101-meter technology, alongside 13 hydraulic platform fire vehicles of varying heights and 250 block-level firefighting vehicles. He noted that the water pipe capacity of fire engines will be increased to 1,000 meters to ensure effective deployment in crowded areas during emergencies.
Saini also stressed disaster preparedness training. He directed that the fire and disaster training institute in Jind adhere to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) standards, offering training for earthquakes, fires, floods, and other emergencies. Additionally, he instructed officials to create a dedicated portal by collecting data of all swimmers in the state.
Under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines, mapping has been completed for new fire stations, and Saini announced that 59 new stations will be set up across Haryana. He further directed the purchase of 10 modern firefighting robots on a pilot basis to enhance emergency response.
“These steps will significantly strengthen our disaster management infrastructure and ensure quicker, more efficient response in emergencies,” the chief minister noted.
