Mock terror drill at Delhi metro stations

New Delhi, Feb 14 : The first-ever mock drill was conducted within the premises of the Delhi Metro railway stations, to train the staff against a possible attack by terrorists.

The drill was monitored by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which used multi-hazardous situations to review the efficacy of the Metro staff, police and medical facilities in such eventualities.

The drills were carried out simultaneously at Rajiv Chowk (terror attack), Chawri Bazar (toxic gas release), Rithala (bomb blast at parking area) and Shastri Park (call about planting of bomb at train depot) at around 6:15 am.

"When such an incident takes place, the first reaction should be to stop the trains and to evacuate the passengers from the stations. Apart from being an important mode of transportation, Delhi Metro is also a heritage, which needs to be protected," said N C Vij, Vice Chairman, NDMA.

"The mock drill was not a surprise as it was just a rehearsal, but a surprise mock drill could be carried out later to evaluate the efficiency of the administration," he added.

He also said that Metro systems around the world are high on the target list of the terrorists.

During the drill, passengers were shown fighting with terrorists, hostages were kept at in a control room and even lights were switched off on some platforms to create a true life to scenario.

The Delhi Metro carries around eight million passengers daily. It imposes strong penalties for littering, vandalism and violation of safety rules.

The Delhi Metro, first conceived in the 1950s but delayed by political and bureaucratic wrangles, is expected to carry over million people a day after its network expands to 70-kms.

ANI