Doon Nagar Nigam launches Quick Response Teams for emergency sanitation, disaster relief
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Jul: Dehradun Municipal Corporation (Doon Nagar Nigam) today launched its Quick Response Team (QRT) service to boost urban sanitation and ensuring swift response during emergencies and disasters. Cabinet Minister, Urban Development, Ram Singh Kaira and Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal jointly flagged off five dedicated QRT vehicles, which have been deployed across different parts of the city to provide rapid sanitation and emergency support services.
Addressing the gathering, Urban Development Minister Ram Singh Kaira described the launch of the Quick Response Teams as a significant step towards providing timely and efficient emergency sanitation services to citizens. He said the initiative would further strengthen the city’s sanitation system while ensuring swift action during disasters and other exceptional situations, thereby enabling the civic body to provide immediate relief and assistance to residents.
Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal also emphasised that the initiative reflects the Municipal Corporation’s commitment to improving civic services and ensuring that emergency sanitation challenges are addressed without delay.
Providing further details, Municipal Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey said the five dedicated QRT vehicles have been strategically deployed across different zones of the city to ensure quick accessibility and faster response times. He said that upon receiving complaints or information relating to emergency sanitation, the teams would immediately reach the spot and undertake the necessary action.
The initiative is intended to improve the city’s preparedness for natural and man-made disasters while ensuring prompt sanitation services in emergency situations. Each of the five QRT vehicles will be manned by a team of six trained personnel under the supervision of a dedicated supervisor. The teams will be responsible for responding immediately to emergency sanitation requirements, carrying out relief and cleaning operations during natural and human-induced disasters, and ensuring prompt action under special circumstances.
Each QRT has been equipped with modern machinery, specialised tools and safety equipment to enable it to respond effectively to emergencies. The equipment includes grass-cutting machines, shovels, spades, pickaxes, crowbars, bush-cutting blades, axes, ropes, protective gear and other sanitation and disaster management tools required for carrying out immediate operations in difficult conditions.
The QRTs will undertake a wide range of emergency services, including removal of debris and waste following road accidents and natural disasters, emergency clearance of waterlogging and drains, special sanitation drives at public places, additional cleaning arrangements during major events and gatherings, sanitation support during fire incidents and other disasters, and prompt disposal of complaints relating to emergency cleanliness and civic services.
To facilitate prompt public access to the service, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation has issued a toll-free helpline number, 1800-180-4571, through which citizens can seek assistance from the Quick Response Teams.
Among those present on the occasion were Deputy Municipal Commissioner Tanveer Marwah, Chief Municipal Health Officer Dr Anand Kumar Shukla, Assistant Municipal Commissioner Rajbir Singh Chauhan, senior officials and employees of the Municipal Corporation, besides elected councillors.
