After six years of Kedarnath disaster which occurred on June 16, 2013 and resulted in the death of nearly five thousand people, with the establishment of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in year 2014 Uttarakhand police is better equipped and trained to handle such situations than before. However, senior officers state that one should not be complacent, which is also why the SDRF is planning to add three more companies soon.
Acting Inspector General (Law and Order) Sanjay Gunjyal said, “Since the year of disaster Uttarakhand police have worked on different aspects. Firstly, at the time of disaster Rudraprayag district police only had two police stations and 11-12 sub-inspectors, now we have three times the force stationed there. Secondly, the roles of police in disaster search and rescue have increased since the disaster. Most importantly in 2013 we lacked a professional disaster mandate force, which now we have in the form of SDRF. According to the principle, we should have seven companies of SDRF, we have four as of now three are yet to come. Now our holistic approach is more professional and technical. Certainly we are better quipped and better trained than before.”
Garhwal IG Ajay Rautela said, “The biggest difference since then is the establishment of SDRF. Our response time has reduced and we are our better trained both mentally and physically to face such a challenge. About the route and the increasing number of visitors, it is good for state’s economy and the ongoing work will be complete soon, which will reduce the problems on Yatra routes.”
SDRF Commandant, Superintendent of Police (SP) Tripti Bhatt said, “I cannot claim that we are fully equipped but we are definitely more prepared and better trained than before. In short time SDRF has achieved a lot in terms of gaining the trust of people and spreading community awareness. We are planning to add three more companies of SDRF soon. Holistically we are a young, bright and energetic force which is setting benchmarks, however we cannot afford to be complacent. There is always scope for more. ”