Chandigarh witnessed a crucial dialogue on national disaster preparedness as Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), a distinguished member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), delivered a stark assessment of India's emergency response capabilities. Speaking at the Western Command Disaster Management Conclave held at the Western Command Headquarters in Chandimandir, the retired general emphasized that numerous states across the country still lack effective emergency response centers, creating significant vulnerabilities in disaster management systems.
Urgent Need for Decentralized Emergency Infrastructure
Lt Gen Hasnain pointed out that while a handful of states have developed robust response mechanisms, many others remain inadequately prepared for emergencies. He stressed the critical necessity for establishing comprehensive emergency facilities down to the district and tehsil levels to ensure timely and efficient disaster response across India's diverse geographical landscape.
The retired military leader highlighted that rapid infrastructure development and industrialization would inevitably lead to increased disaster occurrences, potentially affecting millions of livelihoods nationwide. This reality makes strengthening emergency infrastructure not just desirable but absolutely essential for national security and public safety.
Transitioning from Reactive to Proactive Disaster Management
The conclave, organized through a strategic partnership between the Army's Western Command and the NDMA, brought together an impressive assembly of military leadership, NDMA policymakers, and academic innovators. The primary objective was to shift India's approach from a "reactive" disaster response model to a "proactive" resilience-based architecture that anticipates and mitigates potential crises before they escalate.
Lt Gen Hasnain delivered the opening address, setting the tone for discussions that would follow throughout the event. He was joined by Rajendra Singh, Member and Head of Department at NDMA, who delivered the keynote address, and Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command, who emphasized the Indian Army's role as the "preferred responder" during extreme crisis situations.
Integrating Military and Civilian Response Protocols
A significant portion of the dialogue focused on Military-Civil Fusion, with Manish Bharadwaj, Secretary of NDMA, and Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria, General Officer Commanding of 11 Corps, discussing the harmonization of protocols to optimize the critical "Golden Hour" in relief operations. This collaboration between military precision and civilian expertise represents a crucial step toward creating more effective disaster response frameworks.
Lt Gen Hasnain further emphasized that disaster management is no longer the sole responsibility of government agencies but requires collective involvement from all sections of society. He stressed the importance of systematic mapping of local resources and greater public awareness, noting that informed communities can respond more effectively during emergencies, potentially saving countless lives.
Technological Innovations in Disaster Governance
The seminar placed particular emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technology into disaster governance systems. Dr Kala Venkat Udhay from IIT Mandi presented groundbreaking developments in remote sensing and landslide early warning systems, while Mohammad Afzal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Power, addressed vulnerability reduction strategies for hydroelectric river basins.
Santosh Kumar, Commandant of the 7th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), provided critical analysis of resource mobilization and recycling challenges encountered during the 2025 floods. His presentation offered proposed solutions for managing future urban and rural inundations more effectively.
Addressing State-Level Framework Gaps
A dedicated panel featuring KK Pant, Additional Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh; Snober Jamil from the State Disaster Management Authority of Jammu and Kashmir; and Mohsen Shahidi, Deputy Inspector General (Operations) of NDRF explored existing gaps in state-level disaster management frameworks. The discussion highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in predicting, managing, and mitigating disaster impacts.
Speakers consistently emphasized the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in disaster management, suggesting that AI-driven analytics could revolutionize how India prepares for and responds to natural and man-made calamities. This technological integration represents a forward-looking approach to building national resilience against increasingly frequent and severe disaster events.
The Western Command Disaster Management Conclave served as a pivotal platform for cross-sector collaboration, bringing together military expertise, government policymaking, academic innovation, and technological advancement to create a more secure and resilient India capable of facing disaster challenges with greater preparedness and effectiveness.
