RS MP Ashok Mittal claims his intervention led to test Next-Gen disaster alert system

Rajya Sabha MP Dr Ashok Mittal, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after quitting the AAP, has claimed that the recent test conducted on the ‘Next- Gen Multilingual Disaster Alert System’ was followed by a proposal made by him during a meeting with the Home Minister Amit Shah.

Backed by a 2024 report of the NDMA, Dr. Mittal highlighted certain points and shortcomings with regard to the disaster governance, noting that fewer than 10 per cent of districts had effectively adopted disaster management plans.
The MP had pointed out that Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies remained largely disconnected from the framework.

Advertisement

He emphasized the importance of timely emergency communication, reinforcing that no citizen should be left without critical alerts and disaster-related information during times of crisis, particularly in the vulnerable areas, like those along coasts, and those prone to landslides.

It was after these concerns and recommendations, the system was subsequently tested to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve coordination among agencies, and ensure timely dissemination of alerts and critical information to citizens.
Mittal said, “Our commitment to safety is absolute. By upgrading SACHET platform with Cell Broadcast technology, we can now send urgent, life-saving information directly to citizens instantly. I wholeheartedly commend this impactful step towards building a safer, stronger, and disaster-resilient India.”

Notably, the disaster communication system leverages the System for Alerting, Communicating, and Handling Emergency Techniques (SACHET) platform with cutting-edge Cell Broadcast technology to deliver instant, location-specific warnings to citizens for disasters such as floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, and chemical hazards etc.
The alerts are transmitted directly to all mobile devices within the affected region, preventing network congestion during emergencies.

Additionally, the system delivers disaster-related communication in regional languages to ensure maximum awareness and quicker response among local communities.