NDRF deploys HAZMAT vehicles, rescue teams purchased from G20 in Ayodhya

Several NDRF teams trained to deal with disasters such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks as well as earthquakes and drowning incidents have been deployed in Ayodhya ahead of the consecration ceremony, an official said on Friday.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General Atul Karwal told PTI that the teams are conducting continuous familiarization exercises and simulation exercises in the temple town to respond to any emergent situation.

Separately, he said, “Several teams of NDRF, some HAZMAT (hazardous material) vehicles which were procured by the force during the recently concluded G20 summit in Delhi, have been deployed to effectively deal with any kind of disaster or trouble.” Has been deployed in Ayodhya for this.” 19th Foundation Day program of the force here.

Karwal said, the commanding officer of our battalion, who is permanently based in Varanasi, is camping in the city along with his personnel and experts.

The DG said that after the January 22 event, the teams will remain deployed in Ayodhya till the busy activity and rush of pilgrims continues in the city.

The consecration ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several dignitaries from the government and private sector.

The multi-tonne HAZMAT vehicles were built by Bharat Electronics Limited, an aerospace and defense PSU under the Defense Ministry, and each of these indigenous vehicles costs around Rs 15 crore.

NDRF currently has seven such vehicles and about two to three of them have been sent to Ayodhya.

Another official of the Federal Disaster Response Force said diving teams of the force have been deployed in the Saryu river and other water bodies in the city to deal with any incident of drowning.

Rescue teams are in Ayodhya with their equipment and dogs. They specialize in launching rescue operations in the event of earthquakes and structure collapses and work in coordination with other central security, intelligence agencies and state authorities.

The NDRF was established in 2006 and has 16 battalion bases along with 28 Regional Response Centers (RRCs) in different states to launch rescue and relief operations in quick time.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)