UP to launch NDRF-like Specialized Rescue Group in fire services

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is set to overhaul its disaster response architecture with the creation of a Specialised Rescue Group (SRG) within the Fire and Emergency Services Department, a dedicated force trained on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to tackle complex emergencies ranging from building collapses and floods to industrial and chemical accidents.

The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, where officials outlined plans to deploy the SRG in 10 districts in the first phase. A total of 240 personnel will undergo advanced, multi-agency training at elite institutions, including the NDRF, BSF, ITBP and CISF, equipping them with specialised skills for high-risk, technical rescue operations.

Officials said the SRG will focus on collapsed-structure search and rescue, confined-space operations, high-rise evacuation, flood response and hazardous material incidents, significantly enhancing the state’s capacity to respond swiftly to disasters that demand precision and expertise beyond conventional firefighting.

Underlining the shift, Adityanath said the role of the Fire and Emergency Services must evolve in line with Uttar Pradesh’s rapid urban and industrial expansion. “The department can no longer be viewed merely as a firefighting agency. It plays a critical role in safeguarding lives, industries and investments. It must be strengthened with modern technology and skilled manpower,” he said.

The push for modernisation comes amid rising challenges in urban centres such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj, where high-rise buildings and dense commercial clusters have altered the risk landscape. To address this, the state plans to procure high-reach hydraulic platforms (up to 102 metres) and advanced firefighting vehicles capable of tackling fires in buildings up to 100 floors, marking a major upgrade in urban response capability.

Parallelly, the govt is expanding fire infrastructure across districts. Of the state’s 350 tehsils, 296 are currently covered by 326 fire stations. Officials said 26 new stations are ready for inauguration, while 25 are under construction and DPRs for 47 more are being prepared. The CM directed departments to ensure fire services reach all tehsils at the earliest.

Data presented at the meeting showed a sharp expansion since 2017, with fire stations rising from 140 to 260, and vehicles from 750 to 1,660, alongside ongoing procurement of 400 additional units. Integration with Dial-112, expansion of digital services and fresh recruitments have improved response times and coordination, officials said.

Focus is also being placed on prevention. In 2025-26, the department conducted over 1.2 lakh fire safety audits, 31,000 mock drills and 75,000 training programmes, reaching 16.55 lakh people through awareness campaigns. The CM stressed stricter enforcement of fire norms in hospitals, hotels, schools and high-rises, sectors often flagged for compliance gaps.

To boost ease of doing business, the Fire NOC process is being streamlined via integration with Nivesh Mitra 3.0, with validity extended from three to five years. Between January and May 2026, over 10,600 approvals were granted out of 14,700 applications.

Officials also highlighted the strengthening of the volunteer network, with 44,000 Agnimitras and Agnisachetaks trained and plans underway to integrate Civil Defence, Home Guards and PRD personnel into a unified emergency response grid.

The proposed SRG, officials said, is a key pillar in building a faster, specialised and tech-enabled disaster response system, crucial for a state facing increasingly complex risks amid rapid urbanisation.