Amit Shah Greenlights Rs. 725.62 Crore for Fire Services Expansion

In a major step towards enhancing disaster resilience, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved three significant projects worth Rs. 725.62 crore under the “Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States.” These projects, aimed at bolstering fire safety infrastructure, will benefit Chhattisgarh (Rs. 147.76 crore), Odisha (Rs. 201.10 crore), and West Bengal (Rs. 376.76 crore). This approval comes as part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen disaster management and response systems in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a disaster-resilient India.

Committee Approval and Strategic Allocations

A high-level committee, chaired by Shri Amit Shah and comprising key figures like the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, sanctioned these projects. This approval is part of a larger initiative under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which has committed substantial resources to disaster risk reduction and infrastructure modernization across the country.

Government’s Commitment to Disaster Management

The central government has allocated Rs. 5000 crore through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to modernize and expand fire services across Indian states. Previously, 15 states had their proposals approved for Rs. 2542.12 crore. Under the leadership of PM Modi and the guidance of Amit Shah, more than Rs. 21,026 crore has already been released in disaster relief this year, encompassing various funds such as the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

Ongoing Disaster Risk Reduction Efforts

The government continues to focus on strengthening disaster management systems, ensuring timely intervention during disasters to minimize loss of life and property. This aligns with ongoing efforts to make India better equipped for disaster resilience, underscoring the importance of modern fire and disaster management infrastructure at the state level.

Fire Services Modernization in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal

Purpose: The initiative aims to modernize and expand fire services in the states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal to improve disaster response and fire safety infrastructure.

Approved Funding: A total of Rs. 725.62 crore has been approved:

• • Chhattisgarh: Rs. 147.76 crore
  • Odisha: Rs. 201.10 crore
  • West Bengal: Rs. 376.76 crore

High-Level Committee: The project approval was made by a high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with the participation of the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman.

Objective: The initiative is part of the central government’s broader effort to strengthen disaster resilience, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a disaster-resilient India. It focuses on upgrading fire services to better manage disasters and minimize loss of life and property.

Background: The funding comes from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as part of a broader plan to strengthen fire and disaster management systems across India.

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