Amit Shah: India Spent ₹2.5 Lakh Crore on Disaster Management in 11 Years

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently highlighted India's substantial financial commitment towards disaster management, stating that the nation has spent an impressive ₹2.5 lakh crore over the past eleven years. This significant outlay underscores the government's intensified focus on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms across the country.

The expenditure reflects India’s proactive approach in addressing the manifold challenges posed by natural calamities. India, geographically diverse, is highly susceptible to various disasters, including devastating floods, powerful cyclones, seismic events, and prolonged droughts, which frequently impact millions of lives and livelihoods annually. The sustained investment aims to mitigate these risks and minimise human and economic losses.

Historically, disaster management efforts often focused on post-calamity relief. However, Mr. Shah's statement points to a strategic shift towards pre-emptive measures, risk reduction, and the establishment of robust early warning systems. This includes enhancing the capabilities of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF), alongside community-level preparedness programmes.

The substantial investment has facilitated crucial infrastructure development, technological advancements in forecasting, and widespread training initiatives for emergency personnel. These efforts are vital in building a more resilient nation, capable of responding swiftly and effectively to crises. The long-term vision is to create a comprehensive framework that not only manages disasters but also integrates resilience into developmental planning.

This commitment by the central government is expected to further bolster India's position in global disaster risk reduction efforts, demonstrating a clear resolve to protect its citizens and assets from the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and other hazards.