The disaster management structure will now be strengthened in disaster-sensitive Uttarakhand with the World Bank-assisted Uttarakhand Disaster Preparedness and Resilient Project (U-Prepare). For this, the World Bank has approved a loan amount of 1480 crores. 80 percent of the project cost will be borne by the Center and 20 percent by the State Government. Under the project, along with developing disaster-related early warning systems in the state, works like construction of disaster shelters, roads and bridges, effective steps to control forest fires will be done. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed gratitude to the Central Government including Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the approval of this project. He said that the project taking shape will help in reducing the impact of the disaster as well as speeding up relief and rescue operations during disasters in the state. With the aim of strengthening disaster management and reducing the response time during disasters, a blueprint for externally aided U-Prepare was drawn in the year 2023. Then in September, it got the green signal from the Cabinet. After this, the proposal of the project was sent to the Center. The loan signing for the project was done on Monday by Union Joint Secretary Alok Tiwari, Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and World Bank India Director Auguste Tano Koame. Now this loan amount has been approved.
These will be the main works
Early Warning System: – Disaster management software will be updated to develop a disaster related early warning system. Also, sensors will be installed at various places and rivers. Sirens will also be installed to issue warnings at various places.
Command and Control System: – Under the project, a command and control system will be built in Dehradun, with which all the districts will be connected. The system of disaster control room will also be strengthened at the district level.
Construction of 45 bridges:- 45 such bridges of PWD will be constructed in the project, which are weak or have flaws. Road safety works will be done at eight places.
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10 Disaster shelter homes:- Disaster shelter homes will be built in sensitive areas with a view to taking the affected people to a safe place in the disaster-prone area.
19 fire stations will be strengthened:- Fire stations have also been included in the project. Under this, other steps will be taken including availability of equipment in the selected 19 fire stations.
Training center will be built in Jolly Grant:- Disaster training center will be built in the campus of SDRF established in Jolly Grant.
Prevention of forest fire:- Establishment of crew-stations, arrangement of equipment, purchase of motorcycles or other vehicles will be done under this project to control forest fire and reduce response time.
