ER conducts full-scale mock drill near Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 28 (IANS) The Sealdah Division of Eastern Railway (ER) conducted a full-scale mock drill in coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the West Bengal government on Friday, August 28, 2026. The drill was aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and improving ER’s emergency response capabilities.

Conducted at Kankinara station in North 24-Parganas district, the exercise tested the readiness of railway teams in collaboration with NDRF, the state government and volunteer organisations to respond quickly and effectively to a major train accident.

A scenario was created involving the 00351 Sealdah-Lalgola Passenger train after it arrived on line 1 at Kankinara station. The on-duty station master failed to secure the point ahead of the station. Another train approached; its driver passed a red signal and came into conflict with the passenger train, resulting in a simulated collision. One coach of the passenger train derailed while another capsized, requiring a coordinated rescue operation with passengers trapped inside damaged coaches.

Only a few officials, including the station master, drivers and guards of the empty second train, and top officers in charge, knew it was a drill. Rescuers from the railways, NDRF and hospital staff were alerted as if it were a real accident.

Immediately after the “accident”, rescue teams swung into action. A total of 20 dummy passengers were evacuated and given medical attention. Those shown as seriously injured were shifted to Naihati, Jagaddal State General Hospital and B.N. Bose Hospital. The exercise reported one death, five serious injuries and seven minor injuries.

“A major focus was on rescuing passengers trapped inside badly damaged coaches. Teams demonstrated how modern rescue equipment can be used to cut through coach structures and create access points for evacuation,” an official said. High-capacity cutters, separators and plasma cutting tools were deployed, allowing personnel to practise under realistic conditions.

Every part of the operation was clocked, photographed and videographed for later review. The joint exercise commenced at 5 p.m. and continued through stages of rescue, medical assistance, evacuation and restoration. At 6.26 p.m., the emergency was declared under control, and the drill formally concluded.

Around 35 NDRF personnel, the Divisional Disaster Rescue Team, 23 Civil Defence personnel, eight fire brigade personnel, seven doctors, 36 paramedical staff, 29 members of St John Ambulance Association, 31 Scouts & Guides and 75 RPF personnel participated.

Rajeev Saxena, Divisional Railway Manager, Sealdah, and Sujit Kumar Sinha, Senior Divisional Safety Officer, monitored the exercise. “One of the objectives was to assess accident alertness and emergency preparedness, identify gaps in the response mechanism and strengthen coordination among the Railway, NDRF and other teams,” an official said.

Saxena added that such full-scale exercises are vital for railway safety preparedness, ensuring personnel remain ready for unforeseen situations and that rescue, evacuation, medical assistance and restoration can be carried out in a coordinated and timely manner.

–IANS

jg/dan