GANGA PRAHARI AAPDA MITRA YOJANA TO BE LAUNCHED IN BIHAR

GANGA PRAHARI AAPDA MITRA YOJANA TO BE LAUNCHED IN BIHAR

5-MAY-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------------A significant meeting was held today at the auditorium of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA), presided over by Vice Chairman Dr. Uday Kant, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Present at the meeting were NDMA Secretary Manish Bhardwaj; BSDMA Secretary Md. Waris Khan; Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh; Patna Municipal Corporation Commissioner Yashpal Meena; Joint Secretary of the Disaster Management Department Md. Nadimul Gaffar Siddiqui; NDMA Advisors Lt. Col. Sanjeev Kumar Shahi and Col. Kriti Pratap Singh; Project Specialist Shikha Sharma; and Dr. Mona Chauhan. They were joined by other senior officials, including SDRF Commandant Rajesh Kumar and the Authority’s Officer on Special Duty, Md. Moiz Uddin.

During the meeting, a detailed presentation was delivered regarding the ongoing initiatives, achievements, and future plans within the field of disaster management in Bihar. It was highlighted that Bihar’s disaster management strategy has evolved beyond a mere "relief-centric approach" to embrace a "preparedness-centric" model—a comprehensive framework encompassing pre-disaster readiness, risk mitigation, public awareness, technological innovation, and community capacity building. Robust mechanisms have been established—spanning from the state level down to the Panchayat and village levels—to ensure rapid response, the efficient utilization of resources, and a reduction in the loss of human life. On this occasion, special emphasis was placed on the development of disaster awareness parks and training centers, the "Safe Village" concept, community-based training in riverine areas, and the training of local youth, women, and volunteers in CPR, first aid, and rescue techniques.

During the proceedings, NDMA Secretary Manish Bhardwaj announced that the ‘Ganga Prahari Aapda Mitra Yojana’ (Ganga Guardian Disaster Friend Scheme) would be launched in Bihar with the specific objective of reducing drowning incidents across the state. Under this scheme, residents of areas situated along the banks of the Ganges and other rivers will be sensitized regarding drowning prevention, and local youth will receive specialized training in swimming, diving, and life-saving techniques. The objective is to ensure the availability of trained human resources at the local level, capable of providing a rapid response during emergencies to save lives.

A comprehensive social safety net has been established within the state by integrating various stakeholders, including *Aapda Mitras* (Disaster Friends), *Jeevika Didis*, teachers, students, and other community-based groups. Through regular mock drills, safety education, and behavioral change programs conducted in schools, children are being empowered to stay safe and assist others during times of disaster.

In the technological sphere, the state is developing an integrated system for weather forecasting, flood warnings, and information dissemination. In this regard, collaborations have been established with institutions such as ISRO, IITs, IISc, and TCS. Special emphasis has also been placed on data-driven decision-making, mobile alerts, and machine learning-based solutions.

The meeting also featured deliberations on topics such as cybersecurity, the safety of women and children, boating safety protocols, and the dissemination of reliable information during disasters.

The Authority further underscored that disaster management in Bihar is not being confined solely to the government machinery; rather, it is being developed as a collaborative effort involving the SDRF, NDRF, the Police, the Health Department, local administration, and the community.

During the meeting, a detailed review was conducted regarding the current organizational structure, operational capabilities, and disaster preparedness levels of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Keeping in view the escalating disaster risks, intensive deliberations were also held on the necessary measures required to further strengthen the SDRF.

During the course of the meeting, necessary directives were issued concerning the review of the SDRF's organizational structure and deployment; capacity building and training of boatmen volunteers to ensure effective response during floods; the status of notification and effective implementation of the Incident Response System (IRS) across the state; the widespread utilization of the "Sachet App" for disseminating pre-disaster warnings; and the effective utilization and regular updating of the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN). Authority Vice Chairman Uday Kant directed the concerned officials to ensure coordinated efforts to make the disaster management mechanism in the state even more capable, prompt, and effective.

The central focus of the discussions during the meeting was the disaster management model being developed in Bihar, which has the potential to serve as a valuable example not only for the state but for the entire country. The state aims to build a society that does not merely react when a disaster strikes, but remains prepared in advance and collectively ensures safety.