Central Railway’s Pune Division Conducts a Joint Mock Drill with NDRF at Shelarwadi
Pune, 20th December 2024: Pune Division of Central Railway annually conducts a joint mock drill with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to check alertness and response time during major accidents. In this regard a joint mock drill was conducted at Shelarwadi on 20.12.2024.
An artificial accident scenario was created wherein; a coach derailed and caught fire. A situation was developed where passengers were trapped inside a burning coach.
As soon as the drill started and the coach was set on fire immediately. Message was given by the field staff to control of Pune Division at 09.00 hrs and hooter/ Siren at 9.05 hrs. The control acted immediately and a message was sent to NDRF team, Ambulance, Fire Brigade and Accident Relief Train (ART) of Railways and to all concerned. SPARME for Begdewadi yard departure at 09.25 hrs. NDRF team arrived at 10.00 hrs on site and started the rescue operation immediately with the help of civil defence and fire brigade. City Police reached the site at 10.05 hrs. Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME) arrived at the site at 10.09 hrs.
A total of 21 passengers were rescued between 10.15 hrs to 11.45 hrs by Civil defence and NDRF team. Simultaneously, NDRF and ART teams cut the roof of the coach from either ends and rescued one casualty each. NDRF personnel entered the coach to evacuate passengers. RPF of railways also assisted NDRF in evacuation of passengers. Fire brigade personnel entered the coach and completely doused the fire.
All the passengers were evacuated by 11.45 hrs, initial first aid was provided to the injured and their health parameters were checked by railway doctors. All the stakeholders were found to be responsive and the whole situation was controlled in an hour. This drill made joint operation of railways with various disaster response agencies smoother and will help substantially in real life situations.
The drill demonstrated Central Railway’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers through proactive emergency preparedness and effective response mechanisms. The successful coordination among various agencies underscores the railway’s readiness to handle crisis situations efficiently. Pune Division aims for zero accident and quick response, if any such incident happens. These drills will continue to be conducted jointly by railways for accident preparedness and quick response. This drill was coordinated by the Safety department of Pune Division, Central Railway.
Indu Rani Dubey Pune was present at Mock drill site with A DRM Brijesh Kumar Singh, Rajendra Kumar Kathal Sr. DSO, NK Sajeev CMS, A. K. Mishra Additional CMS and all Branch officers and staff were present on this occasion.
