Centre allocates NRDF wing to V'wada

Vijayawada, Dec 27: The city has been allotted National Disaster Response Force (Ndrf) wing following frequent floods to the city. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who witnessed the recent flood disaster in the State took the decision to this effect. Till now, the the district used to depend on Tamil Nadu for rescue operations during the natural disasters.The Ndrf consists of more than 1000 personnel.A 50-acre site was earlier allotted to the Ndrf at Agiripalli on the outskirts of the city. The site was allotted to set up the National Institute of Architecture. As it was already functioniing from a polytechnic college, the Government has decided to earmark 50-acre site to the Ndrf.District collector Piyush Kumar said the district machinery would cooperate with the Army to complete the buildings in six months.

Every battallion comprises not less than 1000 BSF, CISF and CRPF jawans, including engineers, technical experts, dog squad, medical and para-medic staff. At the time of the disaster, these personnel would take part in rescue and rehabilitation work following a request by the state government. The required helicopters and boats would be supplied to the Ndrf by the Defence wing.In ordinary times, the NRDF teaches people to learn to protect themselves during calamities. NRDF has operated in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat.