- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 04 Sep 2025 06:57 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
Uttarakhand will soon have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the use of helicopter services during disasters and emergencies. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan issued the directive to the Disaster Management Department during a meeting of the State Executive Committee for the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Disaster Mitigation Fund, held at the Secretariat.
Bardhan also asked the Irrigation Department and the PWD to jointly prepare a proposal for the channelisation and dredging of the Rispana river in Dehradun and to devise a comprehensive action plan for all major rivers across the state.
He stressed that flood protection works for vulnerable settlements should be taken up on priority, with greater use of bio-engineering and bio-fencing techniques in projects funded through the State Disaster Mitigation Fund.
The Chief Secretary further instructed that a workshop be organised with other departments to share progress made by the Forest Department under the JICA project.
During the meeting, approval was given for the Director General of Police to utilise unspent funds from the 2024–25 budget for training State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel. The committee also cleared the release of the second instalment of funds to Champawat and Pauri districts for recovery, reconstruction, and relief operations.
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Bardhan directed officials to ensure immediate disbursal of ex gratia payments to disaster-affected individuals, including victims of human-wildlife conflict, and to expedite pending cases.
The meeting was attended by Secretaries Shailesh Bagauli, Vinod Kumar Suman, and Yugal Kishore Pant, Additional Secretary Vineet Kumar, Anand Swaroop, and other senior officials.
