New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Following the Satya Niketan building collapse that claimed seven lives, the Delhi government has initiated the process of setting up a dedicated State Disaster Emergency Relief Force (SDERF) to strengthen the national Capital’s preparedness and response to major emergencies.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has formally set the process in motion, with the proposed state-level force aimed at reducing response times, improving coordination among agencies and enhancing Delhi’s ability to undertake specialised rescue operations.
At present, Delhi relies on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and local police for specialised assistance during major disasters and emergencies.
The proposed SDERF assumes significance given Delhi’s vulnerability to earthquakes, with the national Capital classified in Seismic Zone-IV, besides the risks of severe flooding and other emergencies requiring rapid and specialised intervention.
Senior Delhi government officials and NDRF officers discussed key inputs and recommendations for establishing a modern, state-of-the-art SDERF during a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat.
The government said the proposed force would comprise a trained and capable rapid-response mechanism that could be deployed within Delhi during disasters, reducing dependence on external forces for immediate specialised assistance.
The initiative follows the September 6 collapse of a five-storey building operating as a boys’ paying guest facility named ‘Hostel Daze’ in Satya Niketan. Seven people, including five students, were killed and several others sustained serious injuries.
The rescue and relief operation involved coordinated efforts by multiple agencies, highlighting the need for a stronger local disaster-response mechanism.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed gratitude to the NDRF team on behalf of Delhi residents for the promptness, dedication and coordination demonstrated by its personnel during the rescue and relief operations following the collapse.
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