National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) 10{+t}{+h}Battalion, set up to meet the emergencies during natural calamities and tragedies, is expecting to get funds for construction of its own campus at Mangalagiri in Guntur district.
The government has allotted 50 acres for the battalion on Krishna river bank for constructing its administrative block, residential quarters for officers and staff, hospital, school and other facilities at the base camp.
Former director general of NDRF Mahaboob Alam performed ground breaking ceremony in June last year.
Paucity of funds
Mr. Alam announced that NDRF campus would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 250 crore. However, works were yet to begin due to paucity of funds. The officials temporarily set up a Rs. 2.15-crore worth base camp.
“The force was established in 2011 at Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh, to cover A.P., Telangana and 14 districts of Karnataka and Yanam (Puducherry). We expect that the Government of India will sanction necessary funds for construction of its own buildings during 2015-16 financial year,” says the NDRF authorities.
Infrastructure development
NDRF Director General O.P. Singh, who visited the campus recently, said the Centre had sanctioned Rs. 900 crore for infrastructure development and training. The new campus for 10{+t}{+h}battalion would be constructed with all facilities, he said.
Rumours
Battalion Commandant Prasanth Dar said the land allocated for the force was under the control of Home Ministry and it was not correct that the land was given for some other purpose.
“Some people are creating rumours on possession of the land. Government of India will sanction necessary funds in the budget allocation during 2015-16, and we will take up construction shortly,” said Mr. Dar.
“Recently, training was provided in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CNBR) emergencies for some officers. With the help of the district administrations, we are planning to organise more awareness programmes for the public to prevent human and property losses during calamities,” said NDRF 10{+t}{+h}battalion Second-in-Commandant Sanjay Kumar.
The government allots 50 acres for the battalion on Krishna river bank for constructing its administrative block, residential quarters for officers and staff, hospital, school and other facilities
Land under control of Home Ministry, says NDRF official