Railway conducts Mock Drill to test emergency preparedness
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, October 30, 2025: A mock drill was conducted at Amritsar Railway Station under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Ferozepur, Sanjeev Kumar and the leadership of Senior Divisional Safety Officer Rohit Verma. The exercise aimed to assess the alertness and efficiency of railway employees in handling emergency situations.
The mock drill, jointly organized with the NDRF team at the Amritsar Yard, simulated a scenario in which a special army rake collided with a heavy road vehicle that had unauthorizedly entered the railway track during shunting operations. The collision caused a coach to derail and catch fire, trapping around 20 army personnel and 7–8 railway employees inside.
Upon receiving the information, railway officials immediately dispatched the SPARMV - Self Propelled Accident Relief Medical Van and ART - Accidental Relief Train, from Amritsar to the site. Rescue operations were launched in coordination with NDRF, RPF, GRP, and the local administration. All affected individuals were safely rescued, and the damaged coach was re-railed within approximately 70 minutes.
The primary objective of the mock drill was to strengthen coordination among different railway departments and state agencies, including the fire brigade, local hospitals, and the NDRF, ensuring prompt and efficient relief and restoration operations during real emergencies. The 7th Battalion of the NDRF from Bathinda, led by Deputy Commandant Pankaj Sharma, actively participated in the exercise.
Speaking on the occasion, DRM Sanjeev Kumar said that the drill was aimed at ensuring railway staff remain physically and mentally prepared to handle emergencies effectively. He emphasized that timely communication with administration, medical teams, and the provision of first aid and assistance to the injured are key responsibilities during such incidents.