Officials simulate train accident at Harihar railway stn

Mysuru: The Mysuru Railway division authorities on Friday conducted a mock drill to simulate a train accident at Harihar railway station in Davangere district.
The Mysuru Division of South Western Railway, National Disaster Response Force and agencies of the state government were part of the full-scale mock drill for testing the efficacy of the disaster management plan. The disaster management plan aims to reduce, or avoid, the potential losses of human lives and property by assuring prompt and appropriate assistance at the earliest possible time.
The drill started with a simulated derailment of two general coaches—SWR 01435 and SWR 14242— of a special train from Arsikere to Haveri, at Harihar station at 10.15 am. The railway officials then rushed to the accident spot and began rescue operations.
Mysuru divisional railway manager Shilpi Agarwal and other officials oversaw the rescue operations from the control office at Mysuru.
An NDRF team, led by Senthil Kumar, assistant commandant, comprising 23 personnel; a SDRF team led by S N Kiran Kumar and a team from the district fire department led by Somashekar, district fire official, also reached the accident spot within 20 minutes of notifying them.
The doctors and nursing staff from the Railway Hospital, along with ambulances, reached the spot to provide first aid and assist in shifting 22 passengers trapped in the coaches. In the mock drill, 2 deaths and 8-10 grievous injuries were initially reported.
The rescue operation lasted for about 110 minutes and was completed by 11.50 am.
Shilpi Agarwal explained the significance of such periodical drills and emphasised that correct methods of conducting mock exercises would go a long way in improving the preparedness to deal with as well as in preventing disasters due to human factors. The disaster management plan includes a range of activities enabling the personnel from different departments of the railways to practice the safety-related measures during an emergency.