The Business Bytes
In a proactive effort to enhance emergency response capabilities, NTPC Bongaigaon successfully conducted a Joint Mega Mock Drill on Saturday. Supervised by G.M. Thangzom, Commandant of CISF, the extensive drill focused on preparedness for earthquake, chlorine leakage, and flood scenarios.
The drill commenced at the New Administrative Building outside the plant premises, simulating a major earthquake scenario with Assam as the epicenter. This exercise was part of NTPC Bongaigaon’s Disaster Management Plan. It involved realistic scenarios, including the simulation of a magnitude 7 RS earthquake, leading to significant structural impacts at the simulated site. The drill began at 10 AM and was conducted under the vigilant supervision of Chief Incident Controller Akhilesh Singh, Head of Project, NTPC Bongaigaon, along with Induri S. Reddy, GM (O&M); Ashutosh Biswas, GM (Operation); Ashish Kumar, Deputy Commandant, CISF; M.S. Kandari, Assistant Commandant, CISF (Fire); Pavel Sarkar, AGM (Safety); and other senior officials from various departments.
Within 15 minutes of the simulated earthquake, the CISF, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police, promptly informed employees and initiated rescue operations. The response teams demonstrated exceptional coordination and efficiency, showcasing surface casualty recovery, rope rescue techniques, and other strategic recoveries. M.S. Kandari, Assistant Commandant, CISF (Fire) at NTPC Bongaigaon, briefed the team on the incident and ensured smooth coordination of the drill, effectively managing the dynamics of the emergency response.
Following the earthquake simulation, the drill included a chlorine leakage scenario and a flood-like situation at the NTPC reservoir, further testing the adaptability and efficiency of the emergency teams. Innovative rescue techniques and flood safety measures were demonstrated, particularly by the NDRF, which showcased ‘desi jugad’ flood safety items for public preparedness.
The exercise concluded at 12:30 PM with a comprehensive debriefing at the Fire Station by Ashish Kumar, Deputy Commandant, CISF, and M.S. Kandari. Akhilesh Singh provided critical feedback on various areas for improvement, ensuring that the lessons learned from the drill are integrated into future response strategies.
This mock drill not only reinforced the preparedness of NTPC Bongaigaon’s teams in dealing with potential disasters but also demonstrated the organization’s commitment to safety and the well-being of its personnel and the surrounding community.
