Patna: A high-level meeting was held on Monday at the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) headquarters to strengthen coordination between the Indian Army and the state’s disaster response systems. The meeting was chaired by BSDMA Vice Chairman Dr Udaykant and attended by Major General Vikas Bhardwaj (VSM), General Officer Commanding of the Bihar and Jharkhand headquarters of the Indian Army.
During the meeting, officials announced a collaborative training programme in which 100 community disaster response volunteers—75 men and 25 women—will undergo specialised rescue training at the Army’s training centre in Danapur Cantonment. These trained ‘Aapda Mitras’ will support response agencies such as the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other relief bodies during emergencies.
Dr Udaykant briefed the Army leadership on BSDMA’s flagship initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s School Safety Programme, mason training, safe swimming drives, and the use of AR-VR and modern technologies in disaster education and preparedness. He also highlighted efforts in environmental protection through techniques like Miyawaki and Akira.
Major General Bhardwaj praised BSDMA’s initiatives, calling them “pathbreaking not just for Bihar but for the entire country.” He confirmed the Army’s commitment to training civilian volunteers and lauded the state’s integrated approach to disaster preparedness.
In a key decision, the BSDMA and the Army also agreed to develop local disaster response systems at the panchayat, block and district levels. Public awareness and early warning systems will be strengthened, with the Army committing to host equipment exhibitions and participate in awareness programmes for its personnel and families.
BSDMA member P.N. Rai, emphasising the need for wider engagement, said, “Disaster management is not just institutional—it concerns family and community safety. Awareness within families of service personnel is crucial, as lack of connection can itself become an invisible disaster.”
At the close of the meeting, Major General Bhardwaj invited BSDMA officials to a special Army programme scheduled for June 27 and toured the State Emergency Operation Centre to understand its capabilities.
Also present at the meeting were BSDMA members Kaushal Kishore Mishra and Prakash Kumar, Secretary Mohd Waris Khan, Army Lt Colonel Rajneesh Tiwari, and state Special Secretary Ashutosh Singh.
