M A I N   N E W S

Very few debris-removing machines
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 29 — The Centre today said the shortage of heavy debris-removing equipment was hampering speedy rescue and relief operations in the quake-hit areas of Gujarat even as it maintained that things are looking better from the management point of view.

“Things are looking better from the management point of view, but there is shortage of heavy equipment for removing debris like cranes, etc,” Agriculture Secretary Bhaskar Baruah told newspersons after the meeting of the Crisis Management Group (CMG) chaired by Union Cabinet Secretary T R Prasad here.

To speed up the rescue operations, 8,000 more Army and para-military forces are being sent to Ahmedabad, Bhuj and Kutch areas, he said.

“In all 5,563 Army and para-military forces are already on ground helping the state administration in rescue and relief operations. Another 8,000 troops and other rescue workers are being sent there... .If not tonight, they will reach there in next 24 hours,” Mr Baruah said.

Appreciating the help extended by various state governments, non-governmental organisations and individuals for the quake victims, the Agriculture Secretary, who is a member of the CMG appealed to NGOs and others to supplement the operations by sending heavy debris-removing cranes, gas-cutters, self-contained medical teams capable of operating mobile hospitals, tentages and also set up self-contained free mass kitchen facilities.

Stating that state governments were coming in a big way to help Gujarat in this hour of crisis, he said the Punjab Government has already sent one lakh blankets and a team for setting up free mass kitchens in quake-hit areas, Haryana and Rajasthan Governments are also sending blankets and other items.