Taratala crash: Eye on disaster response system revamp, CM announces Rs 200cr for rescue tools
Times of India | 5 July 2026
Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday announced Rs 200 crore to acquire modern rescue equipment, aimed at a major overhaul of the govt’s disaster response system. He also unveiled a plan to recruit and train around 200 personnel, including ex-servicemen and Agniveers, who would form dedicated disaster response teams, to be deployed across Bengal.
The announcement came as the govt felicitated personnel involved in the rescue operation at the Taratala warehouse collapse site last week. At this event at Alipore Bodyguard Lines on Wednesday afternoon, the state also launched new ambulance and motorcycle emergency response units under Durga Suraksha Squad.
The proposed teams would be deployed in Kolkata, Hills and Sagar Island under the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), civil defence and the disaster management department, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said at the event. He said the state would seek technical inputs from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Army to build a modern, integrated rescue system, backed by advanced equipment and professional training. “We have made a special budgetary provision of Rs 200 crore for modern rescue equipment. We will also select, recruit and train around 200 personnel to create dedicated disaster response teams,” Adhikari said, adding the govt aimed to bridge existing gaps in technology, training and equipment within a year.
Stressing that protecting citizens’ lives was among the foremost responsibilities of the govt, the CM said the state would continue working closely with central agencies to strengthen disaster preparedness and build a faster, better-equipped and trained disaster response system.
Praising the coordinated efforts of the Army, NDRF, fire and emergency services, civil defence, Kolkata Police, railways and medical teams to rescue and save the lives of 17 trapped people at the Taratala collapse site, Adhikari said the operation demonstrated how seamless coordination between state and central agencies could significantly strengthen emergency response. According to him, the rescue operation involved nearly 1,115 personnel, including 150 from the Army, 150 from NDRF, 160 civil defence personnel, 125 from fire department, 90 railways staff, 55 doctors and nurses, 120 from the KP disaster management group, 190 KP cops and 75 personnel from the Kolkata traffic wing. He acknowledged the contribution of residents, who voluntarily joined the rescue operation, and said he would visit Taratala to thank them.
Adhikari also announced that all ongoing construction of five-storey and taller structures in Kolkata would undergo special engineering audits, especially after the Taratala collapse. IIT Kharagpur and RITES Experts have been engaged to assess structural safety.