Malda railway drill tests emergency response, 500+ personnel mobilized for rescue of 50 trapped passengers

The Malda Railway Division conducted a comprehensive mock drill to assess its emergency response system in the event of a train accident. The scenario involved a passenger train operating between Jamalpur and Bhagalpur, where two coaches were severely damaged. One coach was overturned, while another was positioned on top of it. Approximately 50 passengers were trapped inside the wreckage, and around 20 to 25 passengers managed to escape through the windows and doors.

The drill mobilized over 500 personnel, including railway staff, departmental officers, and emergency teams. The operation lasted for about an hour and involved multiple agencies. Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police were involved in coordinating the rescue and ensuring law and order at the site. Malda Railway Division Manager Manish Kumar Gupta supervised the entire exercise, with his team overseeing the execution of the rescue operations.

A major component of the rescue operation was the use of a 140-ton crane to lift the damaged coaches and clear the tracks. The drill also required the use of hydraulic jacks and refilling equipment to bring the tilted coaches back onto the tracks. Rescue teams utilized stretchers to evacuate trapped passengers, who were then transferred to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

As part of the exercise, the railway's ART (Accident Relief Train) team tested their response time and procedures. The ART team plays a critical role in such incidents, and the drill evaluated their ability to quickly mobilize and manage a large-scale disaster response. "The drill was conducted to test the efficiency of ART in clearing the tracks and rescuing passengers under real-life conditions," stated an official involved in the exercise.

In addition to testing the response of emergency teams, the drill also simulated the transportation of injured passengers to medical facilities. Those who were not injured were rerouted to their destinations via alternate train services or road transport. The RPF and NDRF teams also ensured the proper handling of the accident site, while the police maintained order and assisted with the evacuation process.

The mock drill provided an opportunity for all the agencies involved to evaluate their coordination, preparedness, and efficiency in responding to train accidents. All steps taken during the drill, including the clearing of the wreckage, the rescue of passengers, and the management of medical emergencies, were meticulously tested to ensure that the railway system is capable of handling such situations in real-life emergencies. The exercise was concluded with a review of the response times, which were in line with established standards for emergency situations.