GANGTOK: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Gangtok District successfully conducted a mock drill for ropeway disaster management at the Damodar Deorali Ropeway on October 29.
The primary goal of the drill was to evaluate the response readiness of all involved agencies and stakeholders in a simulated ropeway incident, where passengers were assumed to be trapped.
The mock drill began around 9:00 am when the control room was notified about a simulated incident involving a ropeway cabin stuck near the Deorali Taxi Stand and Namnang Big Bazaar. The control room alerted all relevant agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Fire & Emergency Service, STNM Hospital, and the Forest Department. The Councillor, 14 Deorali-Upper Shyari and Deorali Taxi Stand Drivers Association too were alerted.
Responding promptly, the SDRF and Sikkim Fire & Emergency Service teams reached the site and took charge of the situation. A medical camp was established close to the ropeway site by a medical team from STNM Hospital to provide immediate support if necessary. The Deorali Taxi Stand Drivers Association acted prompting by readying their ambulance.
Soon after, the SDRF initiated the rescue using specialised equipment provided by Damodar Ropeways and Infra Ltd. The operation progressed smoothly, and within stipulated time, all simulated passengers were safely rescued and transported to the medical camp for evaluation.
Following this, the NDRF arrived at Namnang Big Bazaar, the highest point of the ropeway, to support any additional rescue measures required. The SDRF and Sikkim Fire & Emergency Service, having successfully concluded operations at the ropeway site, joined NDRF at Namnang Big Bazaar for a coordinated response.
The NDRF subsequently completed the rescue operation joined by SDRF. The medical assessments for all participants were completed to ensure that no further assistance were required.
To conclude the exercise, a debriefing session was chaired by Mr Sonam Wongyal Lepcha, Deputy Director, DDMA (Gangtok), at the Deorali Ropeway, near Deorali Taxi Stand wherein all stakeholders gathered to review the drill, evaluate the effectiveness of each response, address challenges encountered, and discuss potential improvements to enhance future disaster preparedness.
The session was attended by Ms Sabita Pradhan, Councillor 14 Deorali-Upper Shyari; Mr Tshering Norgyal Theengh, Additional District Collector, Gangtok cum Incident Commander; Mr Mahendra Chettri, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Gangtok; senior officers from various line departments; medical officers; officials from NDRF, SDRF and Sikkim Fire & Emergency Service, representatives from Deorali Taxi Association, and Damodar Ropeways and Infra Ltd, who shared their insights and offered valuable recommendations.
The feedback from the stakeholders focused on enhancing manpower, technical expertise, emergency readiness, equipment availability, and transportation facilities. These inputs are expected to strengthen strategies for handling similar real-life emergencies in the future.
- IPR Report
