Shillong: Following the failure of the government to provide the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with high-power water pumps, Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL), a Pune-based pump manufacturing company, has now come forward to lend a helping hand to the state.
Expressing concern about the 14 miners who have been trapped in a ‘rat-hole’ mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district since December 13, Kirloaskar took to Twitter on Wednesday and said that it was “ready to help in whichever way possible”.
Incidentally, KBL was also involved in the iconic Thailand cave rescue mission, wherein 12 young footballers and their coach were rescued. Experts from the firm provided technical support and its ‘dewatering’ pumps were used in the rescue operations. KBL had also offered to provide four specialised high-capacity Autoprime dewatering pumps, which were kept ready at Kirloskarvadi plant in Maharashtra to be airlifted to Thailand for the same mission. However, the footballers were already rescued by then.
Meanwhile, the search and rescue operation continued to remain suspended on Thursday after the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and civil personnel decided to call it off on Monday following their inability to pump out water from the illegal coal mine.
The NDRF had been demanding a 100-hp motor pump from the government, as they were only provided with three 25-hp pumps, which had proved to be ineffective in pumping out water from the mine.
We are deeply concerned about the trapped miners in Meghalaya and are ready to help in whichever way possible. We are in touch with the officials of the Govt. of Meghalaya to offer our assistance in this regard. We hope all miners are rescued safely.
— Kirloskar Brothers Limited (@KBLPumps) December 26, 2018
But, isn’t it a little too late now?
The NDRF, which has been on the site carrying out search and rescue operations since December 14, have reportedly pointed out to a foul smell coming out of the mine. Although the NDRF personnel refused to comment any further on the issue, it can be taken as an indication that the miners might not have survived in the mine filled with water after all.
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Since the authorities were finding it difficult to identify the exact source of water, the NDRF had requisitioned for a geological surveyor to study the site. However, experts from Coal India Limited (CIL) had later pointed out that water from Lytein river, which flows about 800 mt from the mining site, has entered the mine.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma, who is being criticised for not being able to rescue the trapped miners, and has shied away from addressing the media on the incident, said, “The situation is very difficult. Almost 20 lakh litres of water has already been pumped out.”
When asked about the operations being called off despite the fact the miners are still trapped, Sangma said, “There is no question of calling off the operation, now it is going to go to a different level. The MHA is in touch and is helping us a lot.”
Highlighting the important role played by the KBL in the dewatering operations during the devastating Kerala floods, and criticising the government for its lackadaisical attitude, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and journalist Rajdeep Sardesai took to Twitter on Thursday.
2 things are clear: (1) request has come unconscionably late. Govt seems to have been v.slow off the block. (2) We need better preparations & standby equipment for water-related disasters, whether floods or rains. The National Disaster Relief Force should have pumps at the ready.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 27, 2018
Three high quality made in Germany dewatering pumps lying in Kerala waiting to be transported to Shillong; stuck in red tapism for 72 hours now! wake up @PMOIndia @SangmaConrad .. officials can’t be on Xmas vacation when there is an unfolding tragedy.. #MeghalayaMineTragedy
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) December 27, 2018
Earlier, on Wednesday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi flagged his concern about the trapped miners by contrasting it with PM Narendra Modi’s inauguration of Bogibeel bridge in Assam, on his Twitter handle. This was sharply reacted by Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju.
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15 miners have been struggling for air in a flooded coal mine for two weeks.
Meanwhile, PM struts about on Bogibeel Bridge posing for cameras.
His government refuses to organise high pressure pumps for the rescue.
PM please save the miners. https://t.co/STZS62vTp4
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 26, 2018
No politics on tragedy please @RahulGandhi ji. We have been helping the State Govt with all possible means. But the unsafe illegal minining activities were due to the negligence of the previous Congress govt. https://t.co/X5LhBrOYuA
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 26, 2018