New Delhi [India], October 6 (ANI): A tri-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today among the Railway Protection Force (RPF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Indian Railway Institute of Disaster Management (IRIDM), Bengaluru, at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, according to the Ministry of Railways.

The partnership establishes a clear institutional framework for integrated relief operations and capacity building tailored to railway accident scenarios, with a focused emphasis on saving lives during the Golden Hour.

The MoU was signed by B. V. Rao, IG (Training), RPF; Narendra Singh Bundela, IG, NDRF; and Srinivas, Director, IRIDM, in the presence of R. Rajagopal, Member (Traction & Rolling Stock), Railway Board (MTRS); Ms. Aruna Nayar, DG/HR; Piyush Anand, DG/NDRF; Ms. Sonali Mishra, DG/RPF; and other senior officers of NDRF and RPF.

Director General, Railway Protection Force, Ms. Sonali Mishra, stated that there should be effective collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders, and SOPs must be framed in this regard.

In his address, R. Rajagopal, Member (Traction & Rolling Stock), Railway Board, asserted that, apart from man-made distress, focus should also be on natural disasters like cyclones, downpours, and heat waves. He appreciated the initiatives of Jagjivan Ram RPF Academy (JRRPFA) and IRIDM in capacity building related to rescue and relief operations, with a special focus on the Golden Hour.

In his address, Piyush Anand, DG/NDRF, emphasised that all agencies involved in mitigating the effects of disasters should work as a team. Other agencies of the Railways should also be involved in capacity-building efforts.

This collaboration operationalises a scalable, repeatable ecosystem to enhance national railway disaster readiness--delivering faster, safer, and more coordinated relief to passengers and staff when every minute counts.

Prime Focus on Golden-Hour Rescue Outcomes: Every drill and protocol is aimed at cutting critical minutes for faster access, triage, and evacuation from coaches.

RPF will build sharper, coach- and track-oriented capabilities--especially confined-space rescue--so the very first actions at the site are the right ones.

IRIDM will align entry sequencing, stabilisation, cutting plans, patient packaging, and handover.

Common radio etiquette, shared checklists, and joint scene-coordination drills ensure agencies operate as one integrated unit during rescue and relief operations.

Foundation training at JRRPFA (Module A), field sensitisation at nominated NDRF battalions (Module B), and joint advanced, simulation-based modules at IRIDM (Module C) create repeatable, measurable competencies.

NDRF hosting battalion-level sensitisation and joining IRIDM's joint courses; and IRIDM designing, updating, and documenting advanced, scenario-based curricula. The framework is scalable across Zonal Railways and is structured for review and continuous improvement over the coming years. (ANI)