Document your experiences: PM to Deoghar rescuers

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed coordinated efforts by rescuers of Deoghar Ropeway accident and asked them to document their experiences for use in training. Interacting with the officials of NDRF, IAF, Indian Army, ITBP and local administration virtually, the PM said that the entire country applauds the heroic efforts made by the forces as the patience shown by them during the operation was commendable. “I urge all of you involved in the rescue operation in Deoghar to pen down your experience. In a way, you can make a manual. It needs to be a documentation done by all forces. So that, in future, we can have it as part of the training detailing which all challenges come our way in such situation and how to handle those challenges. It can be used as a case study,” the PM said. Praising the coordinated effort by all the forces, the PM said, “I was initially informed that it would be difficult to use helicopters near the ropeway, since the cable won’t be able to bear the vibrations of the chopper. I too was worried on the way out.” The Prime Minister said that the country is proud that it has such a skilled force like the Army, Air Force, NDRF, ITBP personnel and police force, that can bring the countrymen out of every crisis safely. “You have completed a difficult rescue operation in three days, round the clock, and have saved the lives of many people. I also consider it Baba Vaidyanath ji’s grace,” the PM said. We are sad that the lives of some people couldn’t be saved, we all have our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims and I wish all the injured a speedy recovery, the PM said. Modi said that whoever saw the Deoghar operation on TV was anxious. He said that the response time is a very important factor in such operations. “If we face the toughest challenges with patience, success is bound to come. The patience shown by all of you during this rescue operation is commendable,” the PM said. He said that the entire operation reflected sensitivity, wisdom and courage by the forces. The rescue operation in the Trikut Hills in Deoghar district was finally over on Tuesday after nearly 42 hours. Indian Air Force, NDRF, ITBP, Indian Army and local administration were finally able to safely rescue a total of 47 persons. The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of Deoghar incident and ordered inquiry into the matter. The court will hear the matter on April 26. The state government has to file a detailed inquiry report through an affidavit. Meanwhile, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has also asked all states and union territories to review their ropeway projects and ensure that standard operating procedure, contingency plan for operation and maintenance, and systems for safety audits are in place.