A successful mock rescue operation was carried out at the Hospet railway yard in Vijayanagara district on Wednesday, demonstrating emergency protocols for a train derailment involving 18 trapped individuals. The drill simulated a scenario where a passenger train traveling from Hubballi to Tirupati derailed, causing one coach to fall onto another, with 18 people trapped inside. Approximately 400 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, railway police, and various organizations participated in the exercise. They demonstrated the use of heavy cranes to lift and cut train coaches, gas cutters to extract injured passengers, and stretchers for transport. The drill also included procedures for extinguishing fires, with fire engines deployed to the site, and first-aid administration for severely injured victims. Members of the Hospet Red Cross Society and other organizations were present to showcase how they would assist the public during such an accident. The operation was led by South Western Railway Divisional Railway Manager Bela Meena, Principal Chief Safety Officer Ramakrishna, and Divisional Safety Officer Trinetra. Trinetra stated that a similar mock drill was conducted at the Hospet railway yard in 2024 and that such exercises are held at least once a year in all divisions to ensure preparedness for accident scenarios.
South Western Railway conducts mock rescue drill at Hospet yard to save 18 trapped passengers