LUCKNOW, June 9 -- Uttar Pradesh is set to establish a specialised rescue group (SRG) within the fire and emergency services department to strengthen its response to disasters and major emergencies.

Announcing the initiative during a departmental review meeting on Monday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the new unit would be developed on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with 240 personnel undergoing advanced training at institutions including NDRF, BSF, ITBP and CISF.

The SRG will be equipped to handle complex rescue operations such as building collapses, floods, chemical accidents, high-angle rescues and confined-space emergencies. In the first phase, the specialised unit will be established in 10 districts...