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Relief trains coming closer to Bhuj: CMG

Briefing reporters after Tuesday's meeting of the CMG, Agriculture Secretary Bhaskar Baruah said the Gujarat government had put the death toll at 6,444 dead, on the basis of body count, and the injured at 16,767.

He said from the management point of view, things were under control especially with trains being able to reach Ratnala, 27 kms from Bhuj. From that point, relief material could be transported in trucks up to Bhuj.

''Efforts from now on will be to push things by rail and give relief to other systems'', he said adding that Bhuj was the centre of attention.

Power supply, he said, had reached the outskirts of Bhuj and communication system had improved although line capacity was far below what was required. PCOs had also been set up.

Barua said petrol, diesel and kerosene were now available in adequate quantities, but there could some petrol pumps that were not functioning.

Regarding medical facilities, he said close to 1000 doctors from outside the state were working in the quake affected areas. Medical teams were now fanning out into the hinterland.

Over 92,000 blankets had been sent to the state while 57,000 more were in the pipeline. A total of 8660 tents had been pitched and another 2400 were being moved in.

Several teams from abroad were also out in the field helping over 21,000 troops in the rescue efforts.

Barua said the state government now had very clear priorities as regards the requirements. Tents and shelter material, earth moving equipment and concrete cutters, mobile hospitals with portable x-ray machines, food, water packets, blankets, clothing and medicine, including bleaching powder, was required in the state.

Till now, 9522 operations had been carried out in Bhuj alone and over 340 seriously injured had been flown out of the state for treatment. The navy's hospital ships in Kandla had also begun providing medical treatment.

The railways had started special trains to evacuate people from Ahmedabad and Gandhidham. Five special trains were run from Howrah, Delhi, Puri, Bangalore and Madras.

Bulldozers from Bhilai were being transported by the railways and two rakes of GI sheets were also diverted to Gujarat. Two labour specials were rushed from Bombay to accelerate track restoration work. 'Water specials' were also being run from Ahmedabad and Sabarmati to Gandhidham.

Medical relief trains with team of doctors and medical equipment have also been sent to the affected areas.

UNI

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