The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Plan of Indian Railways

Abstract

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015- 30 (SFDRR) was adopted by United Nations as a global framework for disaster risk reduction and was signed by member countries. It was adopted as a successor of earlier existing Hyogo Framework for Action 2005- 2015 to advance a common Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policy worldwide. In spite of agreement, on the importance of the SFDRR 2015-30, its low implementation at the local level remains a matter of concern. For a developing country like India, SFDRR is of much importance due to a large population vulnerable to all types of disasters. This study examined the extent to which Indian Railways (IR) being the national transporter of India and used by most of Indians, became able to synchronize and adopt SFDRR into its disaster management plan. The study discussed the present disaster management plan adopted by Indian Railways and attempted to identify gaps existing in adoption of the Sendai framework in its risk reduction activities. It is concluded that Indian Railway is able to adopt SFDRR priorities to reduce disaster risks in many of its operational activities except areas like railway construction activities where more actions are to be taken to reduce risk of disasters. The findings will be useful to disaster managers in railway sector as well as other institutions to effectively prepare/modify their disaster management plans so that countries can achieve the disaster risk reduction targets fixed in SFDRR.