Question : Disaster Management

(a) the preparedness of the Railways to quickly access the sites with rescue and relief operations in co-ordination with non-governmental organisations within the initial hours of an accident;

(b) whether the Railways disaster management plan presently lacks cohesiveness and is ill-prepared to handle disasters;

(c) if so, the reaction of the Railways thereto along with the corrective measures taken in this regard;

(d) whether the Railways has taken a decision to utilise the services of private companies, such as NGO’s, with a view to improving the emergency services of the Railways; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2412 BY SHRI NIMMALA KRISTAPPA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 30.11.2016 REGARDING DISASTER MANAGEMENT

(a): Railways are fully prepared to quickly access the sites for conducting rescue and relief operations in co-ordination with other governmental and non-governmental organisations within the initial hours of the accident. On receiving the information of the accident, not only the Railways’ resources like Accident Relief Medical vans, Accident Relief Trains, but resources from other government and non-government organisations are also requisitioned as per the need. For this purpose, contact details of such non-Railway resources are kept at the Railway stations and Railway hospitals/primary health centres as well as in the divisional and headquarter control rooms of the zonal Railways.
(b) & (c): No, Madam. Disaster Management Plans at Divisional and Zonal levels have been prepared by zonal Railways based on Railway specific information and non-Railway information available at that time. These plans are subjected to periodical review and updated annually.
(d): No, Madam.
(e): Does not arise.
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