Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Home Affairs addressed the Lok Sabha regarding the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP). The project aimed to minimize cyclone vulnerability in coastal states. Phase II included West Bengal, with allocated funds largely utilized by the project's closure in March 2023. The 2nd Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness and response in West Bengal and Sikkim.
Key Points / Main Content:
NCRMP Objectives and Components:
* Objective: To minimize vulnerability to cyclones and enhance disaster resilience in cyclone-prone states, aligning with coastal ecosystem conservation.
* Implementation: Implemented in two phases across eight coastal states; Phase I covered Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, while Phase II included Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
* Components:
* Component A: Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) for last-mile connectivity.
* Component B: Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure (CRMI), including Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters, Evacuation Approach Roads/Bridges, Saline Embankments, and Underground Cabling.
* Component C: Technical Assistance for Capacity Building on Disaster Risk Management.
* Component D: Project Management and Monitoring.
NCRMP in West Bengal (Phase II):
* Infrastructure Developed:
* 146 Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters
* 472.46 km of Underground Cabling
* EWDS: EWDS was not a component of NCRMP Phase II for West Bengal.
* Financials: Rs. 745.78 Crore allocated, with Rs. 730.54 Crore utilized.
* Project Status: NCRMP closed in March 2023.
2nd Battalion NDRF:
* Area of Responsibility: West Bengal and Sikkim.
* Strength: 1149 personnel with 18 specialized Search and Rescue (SAR) teams.
* Equipment: Well-equipped with Flood Water Rescue equipment.
* Exercises: Conducted 56 familiarization exercises in West Bengal in the last three years.
* Notable Operations: Participated in responses to Cyclones Yaas, Jawad, Sitrang, Asani, Mocha, Dana, and Remal, as well as the Sikkim Flash Flood (2023) and West Bengal Floods (2024).
Coordination and Sustainability:
* Infrastructure Maintenance: Responsibility lies with the State Government.
* Coordination: NDRF coordinates with West Bengal and Sikkim State Disaster Management Authorities for pre-positioning and deployment.
* Effectiveness: Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters and NDRF interventions enhance disaster resilience and response capabilities.
Impact Analysis
State Government of West Bengal:
* Impact: Responsible for the maintenance and sustainability of infrastructure created under NCRMP.
* Action Required: Ensure continued maintenance and effective utilization of the infrastructure developed under NCRMP to enhance disaster preparedness and response.
2nd Battalion NDRF:
* Impact: Plays a critical role in disaster response and preparedness in West Bengal and Sikkim.
* Action Required: Maintain readiness through regular training and coordination with State Disaster Management Authorities.
Citizens of West Bengal and Sikkim:
* Impact: Benefit from enhanced disaster resilience and response capabilities through NCRMP infrastructure and NDRF interventions.
* Action Required: Utilize the Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters and cooperate with disaster management authorities during emergencies.
Key Entities Referenced
National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project: A Government of India project aimed at minimizing vulnerability to cyclones in coastal states.
West Bengal: A state in India, one of the target areas for the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project and area of responsibility for 2nd Battalion NDRF.
National Disaster Response Force: A specialized force in India responsible for disaster preparedness and response.
2nd Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force: A unit of the National Disaster Response Force stationed at Haringhata, Nadia district, with responsibility for West Bengal and Sikkim.
Haringhata, Nadia district: Location of the 2nd Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force in West Bengal.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, covered under Phase I of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.
Odisha: A state in India, covered under Phase I of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.
Sikkim: A state in India, which along with West Bengal, is the primary area of responsibility for the 2nd Battalion of National Disaster Response Force.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 378
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025/ /ASHADHA 31, 1947 (SAKA)
NATIONAL CYCLONE RISK MITIGATION PROJECT
378. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the specific components and objectives of the National Cyclone Risk
Mitigation Project (NCRMP) Phase-II as implemented in West Bengal,
including the types of infrastructure developed and the total funds allocated
and utilized for these purposes so far;
(b) the current status and outcomes of the Early Warning Dissemination
System (EWDS) established under NCRMP Phase II in West Bengal, detailing
its operational effectiveness and coverage;
(c) the role and contributions of the 2nd Battalion of the National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) stationed at Haringhata, Nadia district, in disaster
preparedness and response within West Bengal, including information on
their manpower, specialized training, equipment, and notable operations
conducted during recent years; and
(d) the coordination mechanisms between the NCRMP initiatives and the 2nd
Battalion NDRF at Haringhata to enhance disaster resilience and response
capabilities in the State?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) & (b) The objective of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project
(NCRMP) was to minimize vulnerability to cyclones and making people and
infrastructure disaster resilient in harmony with the conservation of the-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 378 FOR 22.07.2025
coastal eco-system in the cyclone hazard prone States. It was implemented
in the 8 coastal States, including West Bengal in two phases. Under Phase-
I, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were covered and under Phase-II, six States
viz. Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and West Bengal were
covered.
NCRMP was having following components:
Component A: Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) - ensuring last
mile connectivity
Component B: Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure (CRMI) - Multi-Purpose
Cyclone Shelters, Evacuation/approach Roads/Bridges, Saline Embankment
& Underground Cabling
Component C: Technical Assistance for Capacity Building on Disaster Risk
Management
Component D: Project Management and Monitoring
So far as State of West Bengal is concerned, the components including the
types of infrastructure developed under NCRMP, implemented in West
Bengal under Phase-II are given below:--3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 378 FOR 22.07.2025
Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructures (CRMIs)
(Sub-components / Unit)
Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters (No.) 146 Nos.
Under Ground Cabling (Km) 472.46(Kms)
Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) was not one of the components
of NCRMP Phase II for the State of West Bengal. A total of Rs. 745.78 Crore
was allocated for West Bengal, out of which Rs. 730.54 was utilized by the
State under the NCRMP Phase II.
The NCRMP project has been closed in March, 2023.
(c) & (d): The 2nd Battalion of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
stationed at Haringhata has West Bengal and Sikkim as its primary area of
responsibility. It is having a sanctioned strength of 1149 personnel with 18
Self-contained specialized Search & Rescue (SAR) teams. All teams are well
equipped with Flood Water Rescue equipment. 2nd Battalion, NDRF has
conducted 56 familiarization exercises during last three years in West
Bengal. The notable operations conducted by them includes operation
during Cyclone Yass, 2021, Cyclone Jawad, 2021, Cyclone Sitrang, 2022,
Cyclone, Asani, 2022, Sikkim Flash flood, 2023, Cyclone Mocha, 2023,
Cyclone Dana, 2024, Cyclone Re-mal, 2024 and West Bengal Floods, 2024.
The responsibility for maintenance and sustainability of physical
infrastructure created under NCRMP rests with the State Government-4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 378 FOR 22.07.2025
concerned. 2nd Battalion NDRF maintains close coordination with West
Bengal and Sikkim State Disaster Management Authorities for pre-
positioning and deployment during disasters and emergent situations.
The Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters developed under NCRMP, coupled with
timely intervention of NDRF in assisting the State Government during
cyclone and other disasters have proved to be effective for disaster
resilience and response capabilities of the State.
******