Odisha train accident: Vedanta joins in rescue and relief operations; offers food, drinking water
As the tragic train
accident in Balasore district of Odisha on Friday evening shocked the entire
nation, Vedanta Aluminium that believes in action rather than words, joined the
state and central administration in the rescue and relief operations
immediately.
Soon after the news of the
accident broke, Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminium producer in India, and
its sister concern FACOR marshalled their teams and emergency response
procedures to support the ongoing relief operations.
Experts from the companies’
safety teams, along with other personnel trained in disaster management and emergency
response, came into action and are still working on the accident site extending
support to relief efforts besides providing food, water, clothing and
logistical support which are needs of the hour.
In immediate response to
the tragic incident that took close to 300 precious lives and left over 1,000
passengers injured, Vedanta, known for its citizen-centric approach, rapidly
dispatched teams to Bahanaga, Bhadrak, Soro and Balasore with buses and
ambulances for immediate transfer of the injured to hospitals and medical
centres in the vicinity. The company also mobilized over 200 employee
volunteers to donate blood, who are now standing by to donate to hospitals
facing shortage of blood.
This apart, Vedanta
Aluminium supplied thousands of food packets and gallons of drinking water in
the past two days to those undergoing urgent medical care and to their
caregivers, and the relief-and-rescue workers working day and night on the
accident site. The company has also donated over 500 pieces of clothing in
response to the request from the government for support, ensuring the dignity
and comfort of injured passengers admitted to hospitals.
“Vedanta offered food and
drinking water not only to the accident victims, but also to the volunteers and
personnel of the administration engaged in the relief and rescue operations.
There was an acute shortage of drinking water here at the accident site and
adjacent areas. Realising this, Vedanta prioritized supply of safe drinking
water for all,” said Jagabandhu Barik, a local from Bahanaga Bazar who was
volunteering at the accident site.