Prime Minister Modi addressed the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025 via videoconferencing.

About the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (DRI)

• DRI refers to infrastructure systems (buildings, roads, power grids, etc.) designed to withstand, adapt to, and recover quickly from natural and man-made disasters (e.g., cyclones, earthquakes, floods).  
• Global Initiatives on Disaster Risk Infrastructure:
  • Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Launched by India (2019).
  • UN’s “Early Warnings for All”: Goal to protect every person by 2027.  
  • OECD’s Resilient Infrastructure Policy: Guides G20 nations on adaptive transport networks.  
  • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030)

International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2025

• ICDRI is the flagship annual international conference of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• It serves as a global platform for policymakers, experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices on disaster-resilient infrastructure.
• It supports countries in building robust infrastructure systems through research, capacity building, and technical assistance.
• 2025 was the 7th edition of ICDRI, first hosted in Europe (Nice, France) in collaboration with the French government.  
• Theme: “Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions”—focusing on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal communities vulnerable to climate change.  

India’s Five Key Priorities

• Education: Integrate disaster resilience into higher education to build a skilled workforce.  
• Global Digital Repository: Document best practices for post-disaster rebuilding.  
• Innovative Financing: Ensure developing nations access funds for resilient infrastructure.  
• SIDS as “Large Ocean Countries”: Special attention to their unique vulnerabilities.  
• Early Warning Systems: Strengthen coordination for timely disaster response.  

About Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

• Launched in 2019 by the Prime Minister of India at the UN Climate Action Summit, New York.
• It is a multi-stakeholder global partnership aimed at promoting the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.
• Headquarter: The CDRI Secretariat is headquartered in New Delhi, India.
• Members:  46 member countries and 8 partner organizations.
• Functions: 
  • It aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030).
  • Contributes to achieving SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
  • Addresses the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in developing and climate-sensitive regions.
• CDRI’s Initiatives:
  • IRIS Program: CDRI’s Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) program was launched in COP26, Glasgow, 2021, to enhance the resilience of infrastructure systems in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). 
  • Global Infrastructure Resilience Index (GIRI):  Measures resilience in major infrastructure sectors, such as power and energy, transport, telecommunications, and water.
  • Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF):  Launched in 2022 to support technical assistance and capacity building in member countries. 
  • International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI):  Annual flagship event. It is a platform for knowledge exchange among policy makers, engineers, researchers.
  • Global Infrastructure Resilience Program (GIRP): Technical program under CDRI for knowledge dissemination.

Significance of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

• Saving Human Lives: Resilient infrastructure (e.g., earthquake-resistant buildings, cyclone shelters) reduces fatalities during disasters. 
• Mitigating Economic Losses: Disasters cause $2.3 trillion annually in indirect losses (e.g., supply chain disruptions, lost productivity). 
• Climate Change Adaptation: DRI addresses intensifying hazards like floods (permeable pavement), wildfires (fire-resistant materials), and hurricanes (elevated structures).  
• Coastal & SIDS Vulnerability: Small Island Developing States (SIDS), termed “Large Ocean Countries” by India, face existential threats. 
• Sustainable Development & Equity: Resilient infrastructure ensures continuity of critical services (healthcare, education) for marginalized groups.  
• • Developing nations, which suffer 46% GDP losses from disasters (vs. 0.23% in North America), benefit from DRI financing (e.g., Green Climate Fund).  

Indian Government Initiatives in Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

• PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan (2021): A digital platform integrating infrastructure planning of 16 ministries.
  • Promotes coordinated infrastructure development with disaster and climate resilience as a core objective.
• National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), 2016: First-ever national plan aligned with the Sendai Framework.
  • Focus on risk reduction in critical infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water, telecom). Promotes Build Back Better in post-disaster reconstruction.
• BIS Standards for Disaster Resilience: The Bureau of Indian Standards has developed structural codes (e.g., IS 1893 for earthquake-resistant design).
  • Mandated for construction in seismically vulnerable zones. Includes codes for cyclone, landslide, and flood-prone regions.
• AMRUT 2.0 and Smart Cities Mission: Urban infrastructure upgraded with resilience to climate risks (stormwater drainage, early warning systems).
  • Smart Cities integrate disaster management systems, e.g., Command and Control Centres.
• Jal Jeevan Mission & Namami Gange: Focus on resilient water infrastructure, especially in drought/flood-prone areas.
  • River rejuvenation efforts include disaster mitigation components.
• Disaster Resilient Power Systems: Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) includes underground cabling and smart meters for disaster resilience.
• Climate Resilient Infrastructure under NAPCC: Missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (e.g., National Mission on Sustainable Habitat) promote resilient urban planning.
• Capacity Building and Risk Assessment Tools: National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) conducts training and policy advisory.
  • Tools like CRISP (Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services Program) promote municipal-level resilience planning.

Challenges in Adopting Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure (DRI)

• High Costs of Construction: Retrofitting existing infrastructure or building new resilient systems requires substantial investment. 
  • For example, flood-resistant construction can cost 30-50% more than conventional methods.  
• Funding Gaps: Developing nations and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) struggle to secure funds. Only 5% of global disaster funding is allocated for pre-disaster resilience.  
• Weak Regulatory Frameworks & Enforcement:  Many regions lack enforceable building codes for resilience.
  • In India, unauthorized constructions and outdated regulations exacerbate risks.  
• Policy Fragmentation: Disjointed policies across sectors (e.g., urban planning, energy, transport) hinder cohesive DRI implementation.  
• Technological & Material Limitations:  Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) steelmaking requires >67% Fe-content iron ore, which is scarce and costly.  
• Social & Institutional Resistance: Policymakers and communities often prioritize short-term gains over long-term resilience. 
  • Urban sprawl and slums in Mumbai and Delhi in hazard-prone areas persists due to political and economic pressures.  
• Climate Uncertainty & Risk Assessment: Rising frequency of compound disasters (e.g., floods + landslides) complicates resilience planning.  

Way Forward

• Strengthen Policy & Governance Frameworks: Integrate DRI compliance into national building codes (e.g., India’s Disaster Management Amendment Act 2025 mandates resilience in urban planning).  
• Localized Disaster Management:  Empower District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) for decentralized action.  
  • Establish Urban Disaster Management Authorities in high-risk cities (e.g., Mumbai’s flood-resilient Coastal Road project).  
• Leverage Technology & Innovation: Expand India’s tsunami alert system (benefiting 29 countries) to cover floods, cyclones, and landslides.  
  • Use AI-driven risk modeling (e.g., Hyderabad’s flood prediction tools).  
• Enhance Financing & Investment: Combine public funds with private capital (e.g., CDRI’s $50M fund for Small Island States).  
  • Subsidize low-carbon DRI technologies (e.g., India’s ₹4.55B green steel pilots using hydrogen).  
• Focus on High-Risk Regions:  Treat Small Island States as “Large Ocean Countries” with tailored solutions (e.g., CDRI’s IRIS program for 25 SIDS).  
  • Invest in nature-based solutions (mangroves, coral reefs) to mitigate storm surges in coastal and island nations.  
• Build Capacity & Global Collaboration: Integrate DRI courses into universities. Train community first responders (e.g., India’s Aapda Mitra volunteers).  
  • Expand CDRI’s membership (54+ nations) to include more African and island nations.  

Conclusion

The path to DRI adoption requires policy coherence, cutting-edge tech, sustainable financing, and inclusive governance. India’s CDRI leadership and global partnerships are shaping a resilient future, especially for vulnerable coastal and island nations.  

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