Mumbai Division of Central Railway annually conducts a joint full scale mock drill with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to check alertness and response time during major accidents. In this regard a joint mock drill was conducted at New Goods Shed Mulund on 25th April, 2025. An artificial accident scenario was created wherein, a coach derailed and caught fire. A situation was developed where passengers were trapped inside a burning coach.
The drill started when a wheel of one coach derailed and the coach was set on fire. A message was given by the Dy. Chief Yard Master to the control of Mumbai Division at 10.05 am. The control acted immediately and a message was sent to NDRF, State Disaster Management Department, MCGM Control & Disaster Management Cell, Ambulance, Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police control, Accident Relief Train (ART) & ARME of Central Railway and to all concerned. The railway ambulance arrived at 10.15 am on site. NDRF arrived at 10.19 am on site and started the rescue operation immediately with the help of civil defence and fire brigade. Fire extinguisher was used by railway field staff and fire was extinguished at 10.27 am. City Police reached the site at 10.21 am. Accident Relief Medical Equipments (ARME) Van from Panvel arrived at the site at 11.13 am. Total 21 injured passengers were rescued between 10.33 am to 11.25 am by Civil defence and NDRF team. Simultaneously, NDRF and ART teams cut the Windows and roof of the coach from south end and rescued four injured passengers. NDRF personnel entered the coach to evacuate passengers. RPF of railways also assisted NDRF in evacuation of passengers. Fire brigade personnel entered the coach and completely doused the fire. NDRF team with Live Body Detection Dog Squad started dog search at 11.36 hrs and at 11.42 am found one unconscious person in the toilet, who was rescued at 11.51 am.
All the passengers were evacuated by 11.55 am, initial first aid was provided to the injured and their health parameters were checked by railway doctors and some of them were sent to MCGM hospitals at Mulund East & Mulund West for further medical help. All the stakeholders were found to be responsive and the whole situation was controlled in an hour. ARTs arrived at a site from Kurla & Kalyan started re-railing work at 11.57 am with the help of 140T crane and the coach re-railed at 12.06 pm. This mock drill made joint operation of railways with various disaster response agencies smoother and will help substantially in real life situations.
Following Teams joined the Excercise
NDRF BN 05, SDMA Govt. of Maharashtra, SDRF Dhule, MCGM, Mumbai Police, Fire Brigade Mulund, MCGM ‘T’ ward & Hospitals, Civil Defence Mumbai Division. Accident Relief Train from Kalyan & Kurla with 140T Crane, Accident Relief Medical Equipment Panvel, Self-Propelled Accident Relief Train Kalyan, Road ART Panvel & CSMT were participated in the Joint Full Scale Mock Drill.
The drill demonstrated Central Railway's preparedness for ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers through proactive emergency preparedness and effective response mechanisms. The successful coordination among various agencies underscores the railway's readiness to handle crisis situations efficiently. Mumbai division aims for zero accident and quick response, if any such incident happens. These drills will continue to be conducted jointly by railways with multiple agencies for accident preparedness and quick response.
