Tue May 20 12:27:42 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The article discusses the current state of Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) in Delhi, India. Once vital during the COVID-19 pandemic and past emergencies like the 2023 floods, the 1.7-lakh strong force now faces declining relevance. Volunteers, unpaid except for a daily allowance during deployment, report reduced workload, diminished training resources, and repurposed spaces at police stations that previously supported CDV activities. Veteran volunteers express concern about a lack of young recruits and the resources needed to train them effectively.

**News Article:**

**Delhi’s Civil Defence Volunteers Face Declining Relevance Despite Past Heroics**

**New Delhi, May 20, 2025** – Just weeks after nationwide mock drills on May 7 following the Pahalgam terror attack, Delhi’s Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) are reflecting on their diminishing role in the city. This comes after a period of intense activity, including critical support during the July 2023 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.

These volunteers, a force of 1.7 lakh individuals comprising retired professionals, students, and homemakers, provided essential services during lockdowns and assisted in rescue and relief efforts. However, volunteers report a significant decrease in workload and resources.

“During COVID-19, we were considered essential workers,” said Pankaj Kumar, a CDV of ten years. “However, we haven’t been getting much work since then.”

Dedicated training spaces at police stations have been repurposed into creches and utility rooms, hindering training and regular meetings. Volunteers like Devender Singh, a 77-year-old veteran, lament the lack of young recruits and the resources needed to train them.

“The demand for volunteers has gone down, which means that there’s little enthusiasm or availability of young, well-equipped volunteers,” Singh said.

The CDVs receive a daily allowance of ₹800-₹900 only when deployed. The declining opportunities raise concerns about the future of this vital volunteer force and its ability to respond to future emergencies.

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