Maha nod to set up disaster management instt in Nagpur

Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt on Tuesday approved the establishment of State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM) in Nagpur, modelled on the lines of National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) set up by the Union govt in Delhi. The decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis.

The proposed institute will function as a nodal agency for comprehensive planning, training, and coordination in disaster preparedness, mitigation, vulnerability assessment, emergency response, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. A ten-acre land in Maharashtra Airport Development Company's area in Mihan has been allotted for SIDM. The cabinet also sanctioned Rs187.73 crore for the construction of SIDM building and related infrastructure.

Welcoming the decision to set up SIDM in Nagpur, Fadnavis praised officers and staff involved in strengthening the disaster response mechanism. The cabinet noted that the SIDM, coupled with modernised emergency centres and tech-driven reforms, reflects Maharashtra's institutional leadership in disaster management.

As per govt officials, the SIDM would be the key institution for training, capacity building, research, and policy advocacy in disaster management. Like NIDM, it would also operate as per the rules and regulations governed under the Disaster Management Act 2005. The SIDM will be staffed with a mix of permanent and contractual personnel, including technical advisors, based on functional requirements. The state executive committee, chaired by the chief secretary, will serve as the institute's regulatory body.

The govt also operationalised a technologically advanced State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), integrating artificial intelligence, rapid communication systems, and real-time coordination tools in Mumbai.

Fadnavis emphasised that climate change has altered the nature, frequency, and severity of disasters, necessitating faster decision-making and response mechanisms. He asserted that the new systems would help manage disasters more effectively from early warning to post-event recovery. He noted that similar high-tech emergency centres are being developed across all districts in the state to ensure decentralised preparedness.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also decided to transfer freehold government land in Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to their respective regional development authorities. This move aims to raise funds for metropolitan development and expedite infrastructure projects. The regional development authorities will be responsible for land disposal, following a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP), the statement said.

If the land includes grazing grounds, forests, or temple land, action will be taken as per Supreme Court directives. Additionally, if the land belongs to gram panchayats or zilla parishads, their permission will be required for development.