Kochi: In a significant advancement for Kerala's disaster preparedness and emergency response infrastructure, the foundation stone for the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) regional response centre was laid in Ernakulam on Thursday. The facility will be constructed on five acres of land provided by the Kerala government along the Irumbanam-Eroor Road.
Virtual Inauguration by Union Home Minister
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the project virtually through video conferencing on Thursday. The centre will operate under the fourth battalion of the NDRF, which is headquartered at Arakkonam. Currently, two NDRF teams from this battalion are stationed in Kerala and are functioning temporarily from the Kerala Civil Defence Academy in Thrissur.
Enhanced Operational Capabilities
Officials stated that the new regional centre will provide the force with a dedicated operational base in the state, enabling quicker deployment during floods, landslides, and other emergencies. The establishment of a permanent NDRF base in central Kerala is expected to significantly improve coordination and response time during natural calamities and rescue missions.
The project is also anticipated to strengthen Kerala's capacity to tackle increasingly frequent extreme weather events and disaster situations. This development marks a crucial step in bolstering the state's resilience against natural disasters.
