Rafters Plea for rescue training

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, 20 July 2019, Siliguri: A group of youths residing along NH10 have urged the Bengal government to provide them with necessary training and equipment so that they can respond in a more effective way to disasters on the highway and the Teesta that flows along the road.

On Thursday, they met tourism minister Gautam Deb in his office here and made the request.

As of now, at least 30 youths provide voluntary services in a rescue operations in case a vehicle plunges into the Teesta or if any damage is caused by landslides.

"Whenever an accident or a landslide occurs along the NH or on the Teesta (between Teesta Bazaar and Sevoke), we rush to carry out the rescue operations. We have told the minister that if our members are provided with necessary training for such operations, we can respond more appropriately," said Srawan Bagdas, the president of the Himalayan Highway Disaster Management Society.

The NH10 that is considered the lifeline of Sikkim and connects Kalimpong with Siliguri often experiences landsides, particularly during the monsoon. There had been incidents of vehicles falling into the Teesta also.

On July 10, an SUV went off the road and plunged into the Teesta. Three tourists and the driver went missing. Till now, the body of only one tourist has been found.

After the incident, local youths immediately started a search in the river on rafts. Later, National Disaster Response Force personnel also reached the spot.

"We don't have appropriate tools. Our members are skilled enough to get into the river and search for vehicles and missing people. We also want the state to help us set up two booths along NH10 so that we can act more promptly," said Bagdas.

The minister, who appreciated their voluntary services, said he would soon consult with experts of the state disaster management department and organise training for the youths.

Also, some equipment, including rafts, would be provided to them, said sources in the department.

"We will shortly arrange a training programme for voluntary rescuers in consultation with the state disaster management department. I will also ask the district magistrate of Darjeeling to communicate with the national highway authorities so that they can be provided with some space to set up at least two assistance booths along the highway," said Deb..