Mumbai, June 21 (FN Representative) In anticipation of the upcoming monsoon season, Central Railway’s Mumbai Division with Railway Protection Force’s Railway Flood Rescue Team (RFRT) has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers in case of floods. A dedicated Railway Flood Rescue Team comprising 14 RPF personnel, who have received training from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Pune, will be deployed to flood-prone areas. They will be equipped with five inflatable rescue boats to assist in rescue operations, said a statement issued by Chief Public Relations officer of Central Railway here on Wednesday. The Mumbai Division has recently acquired five inflatable boats with one each strategically stationed at important railway stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Matunga, Kurla, Thane, and Badlapur. These boats will play a crucial role in ensuring swift and efficient rescue operations. The RFRT, along with other staff members from relevant posts, will promptly report to flooded areas whenever required or informed by other departments.
Their presence will be instrumental in providing timely assistance to affected passengers, said the statement. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the RFRT and the use of inflatable rescue boats has been circulated to all RPF Post Incharges within the Mumbai Division. This ensures that all personnel are well-versed in the protocols and procedures to be followed during flood-related emergencies. To assess the readiness of the RFRT, a mock drill was conducted on March 10, 2023, at the Railway Dam in Palasdhari, Karjat. This exercise involved the deployment of all five inflatable boats, allowing our trained personnel to practice rescue operations and enhance their preparedness. As per the requisition received from the Western Railway, three inflatable boats and seven trained staff members from the Mumbai Division have been provided in many locations. The Crowd Control and Disaster Management Plan: The RPF Mumbai Division has prepared a comprehensive plan for crowd control and disaster management as part of our monsoon preparation.
This plan includes manpower augmentation, control room augmentation, and essential contact numbers for Police, GRP, Hospitals, Fire Brigade, Municipal Authorities, NDRF, and other agencies. It also incorporates flood-prone areas and dates of high tides for effective response. Three dedicated Disaster Management Teams, each comprising 15 RPF officers and staff members, have been formed. These teams will play a pivotal role in coordinating relief efforts and ensuring the safety of passengers during flood situations. The General Officers (GOs) of the RPF will provide daily supervision and guidance, closely monitoring the preparedness and response measures in place. To enhance relief activities monitoring, two drone cameras have been made available. Furthermore, four RPF personnel have undergone specialized training to operate these drones effectively, said the statement.