Shimla
The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) today conducted a comprehensive mock drill at the Jakhu Ropeway in Shimla, which was chaired by District Revenue Officer Shivani Bhardwaj. The mock drill was conducted in coordination with various stakeholder departments and agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Public Works Department (PWD), Health Department, and other related departments and emergency response agencies. The mock drill is part of the ongoing preparedness and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of tourists, passengers, and the general public using the ropeway.
Speaking on the occasion, District Revenue Officer Shivani Bhardwaj explained that the purpose of this exercise was to assess the preparedness, coordination, and response mechanisms of all agencies in the event of a ropeway-related emergency, especially one requiring passenger evacuation and rescue. She added that such exercises also provide an opportunity to identify gaps, test communication and coordination systems, and further strengthen standard operating procedures for effective emergency response. She added that the mock drill also aimed to familiarize personnel from the relevant departments with their specific roles and responsibilities during a ropeway-related emergency, ensuring a coordinated and timely response during an actual incident.
During the mock drill, an emergency situation was simulated to assess the response of the participating teams and rescue and evacuation procedures were demonstrated. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was informed that two tourists were trapped inside the ropeway due to the ropeway being blocked midway and their evacuation was urgent to be done to avoid loss of life and property. The six-member team of the National Disaster Response Force acted swiftly and rescued the two tourists safely from the ropeway trolley about 200 meters away.
It is worth noting that such mock drills are conducted twice a year as part of precautionary and preparedness measures, with the aim of continuously strengthening the emergency response mechanisms associated with the Jakhu Ropeway. Such regular exercises help officials assess the level of preparedness, improve inter-departmental coordination, and maintain effective rescue and evacuation arrangements.
Madan Sharma, manager of Jakhu Ropeway operated by Jagsan Company, said that the entire system of the ropeway operates on electricity as well as generator. As soon as the power goes off, the ropeway system automatically shifts to generator.
It is worth noting that such mock drills are conducted twice a year as part of precautionary and preparedness measures, with the aim of continuously strengthening the emergency response mechanisms associated with the Jakhu Ropeway. Such regular exercises help officials assess the level of preparedness, improve inter-departmental coordination, and maintain effective rescue and evacuation arrangements.
Madan Sharma, manager of Jakhu Ropeway operated by Jagsan Company, said that the entire system of the ropeway operates on electricity as well as generator. As soon as the power goes off, the ropeway system automatically shifts to generator.
On this occasion, Deputy Commandant and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team in-charge Sanjeev Kumar, Inspector Sandeep Kumar, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and district administration officials along with officials from various departments were present.
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