SCR, NDRF, Civil Defence Organisation Conduct Large-Scale Mock Drill for Train Mishap Rescue Preparedness

The South Central Railway (SCR), in collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Civil Defence Organisation, recently held an extensive mock drill designed to test and enhance the rescue preparedness for railway accidents.

This exercise was not a routine formality but a comprehensive disaster management rehearsal, showcasing advanced rescue techniques and the critical coordination required among multiple agencies during a real train mishap.

Focus on Safety, Coordination, and Realism

Rail travel in India is one of the world’s busiest systems, moving millions of passengers daily. While generally safe, accidents—such as derailments, collisions, and fires—do occur, sometimes with tragic consequences.

Recognising this risk, Indian Railways has steadily increased investment in safety infrastructure and emergency preparedness. This mock drill is part of that broader mission.

“The aim was to simulate realistic accident conditions and test rescue strategies and coordination among multiple teams,” said an SCR spokesperson.

Participating Agencies and Their Roles

The drill brought together:

• SCR’s Safety Department: Responsible for overall accident management planning, ensuring operational safety standards are followed, and managing site access.

• Signal and Telecommunication (S&T) Department: Ensures communication remains functional during emergencies, a critical component in coordinating rescue.

• Emergency Response Teams (ERTs): Specially trained railway staff equipped to respond first on the scene.

• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): India’s elite disaster management agency with expertise in search and rescue, medical first aid, and safe extrication from collapsed structures.

• Civil Defence Organisation: Volunteers and officers trained in civil protection, crowd management, basic medical care, and evacuation.

This multi-agency setup reflects the real-world complexity of responding to large-scale railway disasters.

Drill Scenario: A Simulated Train Mishap

The scenario involved a derailed passenger train with multiple “injured” passengers trapped inside damaged bogies.

The exercise simulated:

• Derailment impact: Dislodged bogies, blocked exits.

• Injured passengers: Volunteers acting as victims with varying degrees of mock injuries.

• Communication challenges: Simulated failure of primary lines to test S&T teams.

• Time-critical rescue needs: Ensuring evacuation within a defined window to mirror real accident urgency.

Rescue Techniques Demonstrated

Emergency Response Teams, trained in multiple rescue methods, worked to safely evacuate the victims:

• Cradle Lift: Used for unconscious or severely injured passengers who must be kept horizontal to avoid worsening spinal injuries.

• Human Crutch: For those who can walk with support, allowing rescuers to quickly move them out while maintaining balance.

• Hand-Seat: Two rescuers form a seat with their hands to carry lightly injured passengers through narrow spaces or down inclines.

• Pick-a-Back: Classic method for carrying conscious but immobilised or lightly injured victims quickly.

Each technique was carefully demonstrated and practised to ensure rescue staff can select the safest method for each passenger’s condition.

Emphasis on Communication and Coordination

A key highlight of the exercise was the role of the Signal and Telecommunication (S&T) Department.

• Emergencies can destroy or jam normal communication channels.

• S&T teams practised deploying emergency wireless systems and portable repeaters.

• Coordination among ERTs, NDRF, Civil Defence, and Railway Control was tested rigorously.

“A delay in communication can cost lives,” said an official. “Our goal is zero communication failure during real emergencies.”

Medical Triage and First Aid Training

NDRF and Civil Defence volunteers demonstrated triage protocols:

• Assessing and categorising victims based on injury severity.

• Prioritising the most critical for first evacuation.

• Administering basic first aid, including stopping bleeding, splinting fractures, and CPR.

Medical readiness is vital because the first hour—often called the golden hour—determines survival chances in trauma cases.

Emergency Equipment Deployment

The drill showcased real equipment used in accident rescue, including:

• Hydraulic cutters and spreaders to open jammed bogie doors.

• Stretchers designed for narrow train corridors.

• Portable lighting for night rescues.

• Emergency medical kits with bandages, splints, IV fluids, and oxygen.

• Safety gear like helmets, gloves, and reflective vests for rescue workers.

Hands-on training ensured everyone knew how to operate these tools effectively.

Public Awareness and Crowd Management

Another key aspect of the drill was Civil Defence Organisation’s role in crowd control:

• Managing curious onlookers who could hamper rescue work.

• Preventing panic among survivors.

• Guiding uninjured passengers to safe assembly zones.

• Communicating with relatives and media in a controlled manner to avoid misinformation.

Learning from Past Accidents

India has seen serious train accidents in recent decades—like the Balasore tragedy in Odisha or earlier crashes in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

These incidents highlighted gaps in:

• Rescue readiness.

• Coordination among multiple agencies.

• Medical support and evacuation logistics.

Such mock drills are designed to address these shortcomings by testing preparedness in controlled settings.

Policy Push for Safety Culture

Indian Railways has committed to a “zero accident vision,” which includes:

• Track upgrades and better signalling.

• Anti-collision devices.

• Better training for loco pilots and crew.

• Regular mock drills like this one to test response plans.

Railway Board guidelines mandate periodic safety exercises across zones to ensure no team is caught unprepared.

Inter-Agency Collaboration: A National Priority

Disasters rarely respect organisational boundaries.

• NDRF is tasked with all-hazard preparedness, from floods to earthquakes to industrial accidents.

• Civil Defence Organisations mobilise community volunteers for mass casualty events.

• Indian Railways’ own safety and S&T departments have in-depth knowledge of rolling stock, infrastructure, and passenger management.

Joint drills like this build trust, communication channels, and a shared operational language.

Importance for Passengers

For the average railway passenger, such news might seem technical—but its real-world impact is life-saving.

• Faster rescues mean fewer deaths.

• Better first aid means fewer permanent disabilities.

• Improved coordination reduces chaos and panic.

Passengers can also be reassured that Indian Railways takes safety seriously, investing not only in better tracks and trains but also in prepared people.

Government’s Broader Disaster Management Vision

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) promotes these exercises nationwide.

• Each state has an SDRF (State Disaster Response Force).

• NDRF units are strategically located for rapid deployment.

• District administrations are trained in incident command systems to lead large-scale responses.

Indian Railways is integrating these national resources into its disaster plans.

Future Plans

According to SCR officials, more such drills are planned:

• Including night-time scenarios to test lighting and visibility challenges.

• Simulating flooded tracks, a real risk during monsoons.

• Involving passenger volunteers to increase realism.

These exercises will also feed back into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring they remain up to date.

Conclusion: A Model for Other Zones

This mock drill was not an isolated PR event. It is part of a systematic, ongoing effort to make India’s railways safer.

“Disasters test our preparation. These drills ensure our people and systems pass that test,” said an SCR official.

By investing in training, coordination, and equipment, Indian Railways aims to save lives if the unthinkable happens.

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