With no equipment, disaster management cells are paper tigers

QUEPEM: Infrastructure for disaster management in Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona talukas in terms of manpower may appear to be in place, but citizens and activists are raising doubts about timely response and requisite machinery to tackle natural and others disasters, if they arise.
Officials of the disaster management cell at Quepem and Canacona assert that they are equipped for rescue efforts in case of any untoward incident or natural calamity.But, none of these taluka headquarters have the machinery needed, especially cranes to rush to an accident or disaster spot for a quick response.
Quepem, which is a vast taluka, has its disaster management cell functioning at the mamlatdar office under deputy collector of Quepem, but not a single crane is available at its disposal in case of any untoward incident. The police stations of Quepem, Curchorem, Sanguem and Canacona do not have a crane, JCB or any other machinery, as required for quick action.
Deputy collector of Quepem, Shankar Gaonkar, said that his disaster management cell is fully prepared to act in case of emergency, but conceded that the cell does not have a crane or any other machinery. “We have a first aid kit, stretcher and staff. In an emergency, we call a private crane or any other available crane from Margao,” he said.
A few recent incidents have indicated the slow and uncoordinated functioning of the disaster management cell. In two major accidents at Canacona, there was panic among people due to the delayed action from the disaster management and other concerned authorities. In another recent incident, activist John Fernandes of Quepem had requested the PWD office to cut the dry mango tree at Ambaulim on the Quepem-Cuncolim main road which may fall at any time on vehicles or any person passing by that road leading to a major accident. The deputy collector, Quepem, who is also the chairman of disaster management cell issued an order to the PWD to immediately cut the tree, but even after issuing the order, till date, PWD failed to take precautionary measures.
When contacted for his opinion, deputy superintendent of police, Sammy Tavares, said that the government should provide cranes at all disaster management cells in the state.