State government aims to revive and modernize Civil Defence with curriculum integration and infrastructure upgrade
Mumbai, May 11 — In a significant move to strengthen emergency response capabilities, the Maharashtra government has introduced a Civil Defence course into the curriculum of Mumbai University. The decision comes amid heightened focus on national preparedness following recent Indo-Pakistan tensions that prompted state-wide mock drills.
The new course, which will be implemented across all engineering colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai, will carry a weightage of 25 marks. It aims to empower students with practical training in rescue operations, emergency response coordination, and collaboration with key civic and disaster management agencies.
"Students who wish to serve the nation while pursuing their education will get an opportunity through this course," said Prabhat Kumar, Director of Civil Defence. He added that the course will train students to operate effectively during emergencies, including war-like situations, and prepare them to work with government and civic bodies such as disaster management cells, fire brigades, and hospitals.
State Pushes for Revival of Under-Resourced Civil Defence Force
The Directorate of Civil Defence, which oversees the volunteer-based emergency response mechanism in Maharashtra, is currently operating under significant constraints. The sanctioned strength of 420 personnel has been reduced to just 135 staff members across the state. In some coastal units, like Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, only one full-time government employee is available.To address this, the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mumbai University to integrate the Civil Defence course into the academic framework. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to revive and modernize civil defence operations statewide.
Mock drills conducted recently in coastal districts and cities like Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar involved around 10,000 volunteers, including personnel from the Home Guard, NDRF, and Civil Defence. These exercises aimed to enhance public awareness and test the readiness of emergency services.
Infrastructure and Allowance Upgrades in the Pipeline
The Directorate currently faces logistical issues, including a lack of sirens, vehicles, and functional ambulances. "Many of the existing vehicles are in poor condition, with some on the verge of being scrapped," an official said.To incentivize participation and boost volunteer morale, a proposal has been submitted to increase the daily allowance from Rs 150 to Rs 500. Additional proposals include augmenting manpower, procuring modern training equipment, and improving communication systems. Officials noted that the state government has responded positively to these recommendations.
With the introduction of this course and the state's commitment to infrastructural and financial support, Maharashtra is taking concrete steps to ensure a more robust, responsive, and community-integrated civil defence mechanism.