New Delhi: With Japan tragedy bringing
renewed focus on the need to tackle natural calamities, Chief
Minister Shiela Dikshit on Friday carried out an extensive review
of the city's disaster preparedness and directed all concerned
agencies to further improve mitigation planning.
The Chief Minister, particularly asked disaster
management agencies to initiate an effective awareness
programme to educate people about how to reduce loss of life
and property in the event of natural disasters.
She further directed officials to involve Anganwari
workers, Mahila Panchayats, RWAs and school children in
bringing awareness about disaster preparedness.
The issue of having proper fire safety measures in
schools was also discussed and the Chief Minister has directed
the Chief Secretary to issue an advisory to all schools in
this regard.
Nearly 1,500 schools out of about 4,500 schools in
Delhi are operating without fire safety clearance.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister A K
Walia, Chief Secretary P K Tripathi, Divisional Commissioner D
M Spolia and senior officilas of police, health department,
Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Fire Service and Army.
Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was set up
under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Tejindra Khanna
with Dikshit being the vice-chairperson as per the provisions
of the Disaster Management, Act, 2005.
Further the State Executive Committee of DDMA was
constituted under chairmanship of the Chief Secretary who will
also function as CEO.
The city government is in process of constituting
District Disaster Management Authority in nine revenue
districts under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner of
Revenue of each district.
A comprehensive list of emergency support services has
been prepared in respect of communication, evacuation, search
and rescue and medical support.
"Disaster management needs special attention in the
city in view of its high population density, extensive
physical infrastructure, heavy vehicular traffic, a huge
floating population. It is also very important as the city is
also a target of terrorists," said an official who attended
the meeting.
He said emergency operation centres have already been
established in all Revenue Districts and a round-the-clock
disaster helpline no 1077 has been made operational.
The MCD has deployed all required equipment in its 10
disaster management centres.
"The Delhi Fire Service has established three Disaster
Management Centres at Rohini, Laxmi Nagar and Nehru Place.
Further the NDMC has established a Disaster Management Centre
at Prithivi Raj Road," said the official.
He said the 'Standard Operating Procedures' for
earthquake, fire, flood and building collapse have already put
in place.
In 2010-11, 1,042 awareness programs were conducted,
while a total of 328 community level mock drills were
organized, he said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, April 16, 2011, 00:04