Railways conduct full-scale safety mock drill at Kollam Junction railway station

The Thiruvananthapuram Division of the Southern Railway conducted a full-scale safety mock drill jointly with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Saturday (November 15, 2025) as part of its efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness, inter-departmental coordination, and passenger safety.

The exercise simulated a real-time emergency scenario involving a train at Kollam Junction railway station yard and mobilised all departments including operating, mechanical, electrical, signal and telecommunication, medical, Railway Protection Force, and commercial wings of the division. The NDRF and the State government departments such as the Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Health, and Revenue also actively participated, ensuring seamless joint response capabilities.

The mock drill was designed to strengthen disaster response capabilities and provide hands-on training for managing train accidents through a realistic scenario. The exercise, under the supervision of Lalit Kumar Mansukhani, principal chief safety officer, Southern Railway, simulated multiple emergency situations, including the derailment and capsizing of passenger coaches, extinguishing fire in a passenger coach, and ensuring the quick and safe evacuation of passengers.

It also involved crane operations for rerailing and de-capsizing coaches, shifting of injured passengers, and handling fatalities with due protocol. The drill further evaluated the efficient movement of unaffected passengers, the operationalisation of help desks at the accident site and at adjoining major stations, and the rapid deployment of telecommunication systems.

All participating units responded promptly as per protocol. Rescue teams executed evacuation swiftly, medical teams provided first aid and life-saving treatment in the accident relief trainand transported mock-casualties to designated medical points, and technical teams restored the track and equipment within stipulated timelines. Divisional railway manager Divyakant Chandrakar, along with senior officers, monitored the entire operation from the accident site.  Full-fledged mock drills play a crucial role in ensuring that all teams are trained, equipped, and ready to handle any emergency situation with precision and coordination.