2.7k from 9 cities to undergo training for civil defence prep

Raipur: In the wake of heightened security awareness following ‘Operation Sindoor', the Chhattisgarh govt is set to ramp up its civil defence infrastructure.

After initial implementation in Durg-Bhilai, eight more cities will be designated as Civil Defence Districts, including Raipur, Korba, Raigarh, Bilaspur, Jagdalpur, Ambikapur, Janjgir-Champa, Dhamtari, and Dantewada.

Officials in police headquarters said that a decision has been taken to designate nine cities as ‘Civil Defence Districts' for defence preparedness in the state.

A total of 2,700 volunteers will be trained across these districts, with 300 volunteers per district. They will undergo a two-day specialized training program, equipping them with skills to respond effectively during emergency or war-like situations.The training will be repeated annually, and their records will be updated every year.

The Civil Defence Act, 1968, which guides this initiative, is also acknowledged under the United Nations Charter. In 2009, the scope of the Act was expanded to include disaster management. Initially, civil defence operations were limited to Bhilai, but later, the entire Durg district was included. The decision was made during a high-level meeting on Sunday, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Pingua, with participation from DGP Arundev Gautam and other senior officials from the Home Guard and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Volunteers will take part in mock drills and annual reviews, with district collectors overseeing recruitment and preparedness activities.

Additionally, the Centre has instructed all 33 districts of Chhattisgarh to install warning sirens, with each district receiving 4 to 5 units.

These will be managed by SDRF for rapid emergency communication.

The state had earlier designated Raipur, Korba, Rajnandgaon, and Sukma as pilot districts for training 1,200 ‘Disaster Mitras' (Disaster Volunteers). The state govt now plans to hold annual pre-monsoon sessions for them, including skill refreshers and disaster response strategies.