The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Airshow: disaster management plan ready

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Airshow: disaster management plan ready

By Divya Ramamurthi

Akash, surface-to-air missile, mounted on a tank, will go on display at the Yelahanka Air Force Station during Aero India 2005 in Bangalore. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE, FEB. 7. At an international airshow in July 2002, at least 78 people were killed and 115 injured when a military aircraft crashed into a crowd of spectators.

Thousands watched in horror as a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 jet plummeted from the sky, exploding into flames among the crowded stands. It was havoc.

In Bangalore, the organisers of Aero India 2005, to be held from Wednesday to Sunday, are hoping that no such accident takes place. They are taking no chances and are preparing for all eventualities.

They have developed a comprehensive disaster management plan that ensures medical attention will be delivered to persons within minutes of any such accident.

An eight-bed hospital with a medical team will be set up near the public viewing centre and a four-bed hospital will be set up near the business centre, says Wing Commander Sunil Kumar.

Beds reserved

The organisers of the show have, in case of any eventuality, reserved over 200 beds in 15 city hospitals and the Indian Air Force Command Hospital. In view of the chaotic traffic in the city, two helicopters have been roped in for rescue missions, if any.

Helipad

A helipad at the Agaram grounds has been created for this and the one at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has been put on standby. Fifteen ambulances will be placed in strategic locations through out the venue.

On the criticism levelled by some government hospitals that their strained resources will be further strained by demands made by the airshow, Mr. Sunil Kumar said the list of hospitals participating was drawn up by the Medical Education Department and that the organisers of the airshow did not involve themselves in it.

"Even the routes that the ambulances will take have been chalked out and practice drills are taking place. There is a central cell to monitor it all," says the Station's Air Officer Commanding, Air Commodore S.P. Singh.

The comprehensive disaster management plan has taken into account 20 eventualities, including a bomb blast, crash, fire and stampede. Six bomb detection squads and two bomb disposal teams have been formed and five bomb disposal sites have been created, says Wing Commander M.V. Rama Rao.

To combat a fire, there are seven domestic fire tenders and five crash fire tenders, including one equipped with metal and concrete cutters. Each hangar has been fitted with a fire extinguisher. Apart from this, 11 fire spotters will be deployed in the public viewing centre and the business centre.

BEL to display products

at airshow;

Aircraft suffers tyre-burst,

but safe — Page 6

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