An iTBP constable, Ramanand Negi, died in a fire drill at the DT City Centre Mall, organised jointly by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Haryana Government, here today. The accident, and the lack of sufficient fire-fighting equipment in Gurgaon, has once again highlighted the vulnerability of the highrises in the area.
Negi, posted in the iTBP’s 6th battalion, was crushed to death by a fire tender as he lay on the road as part of the drill. The fire tender belonged to the Haryana Fire Service. The incident has led to a blame game among the agencies involved.
According to reports, the driver of the fire tender, which was not supposed to be parked near the mall gate, got into the vehicle and drove off, crushing the constable. Haryana Fire Service officials have blamed the Delhi Fire Service for Negi’s death.
The iTBP constable was a part of the National Disaster Response Force.
A mock drill was performed yesterday too. But B S Sangwan, Deputy Commandant, iTBP, said the fire tender was not parked at today’s spot when the mock drill took place yesterday.
Negi was taken to the Civil Hospital where he was declared dead.
A police official said: “With a casualty today, the whole purpose of performing a mock fire drill seems to have gone haywire.”
Sushant Verma, a member of the RWA, DLF Phase iii, said the accident had raised questions about the efficiency of the NDMA and other agencies involved in today’s drill. Even the hydraulic lift used today was borrowed from the Delhi Fire Service, underlining Gurgaon’s lack of equipment.
Many of those who saw the drill were unhappy with how it was performed. “Despite fire tenders parked near the mall, one of the vehicles carrying fire suits reached the spot after about 25 minutes,” said Rashmi, who was shopping at the mall.
However, NDMA member J R Bhardwaj maintained: “The NDMA is happy at being successful in the overall operation of the mock drill.”
The NDMA has said the mishap will be investigated and those at fault punished.
The NDMA has more such mock drills planned for Noida, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.
Posted By Staff Reporter: Gurgaon City News
in Gurgaon News
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