It was around lunch time, I got a call from CMD BSNL that I have to move to Bhuj along with two technicians and Inmarsat satellite phones by an IAF transport plane. I packed up my clothes, bought some mineral water and eatables and reached Palam Air Force ceremonial departure area.
Previous day, the 26th January 2001 had been very hectic. My wife and I had got ready to leave for annual Republic Day Parade. Suddenly, there was rumbling noise and ceiling fans started swinging like a pendulum in our ground floor flat. We knew, it was an earth quake of high intensity and all of rushed outside. After few minutes, it seemed that shocks had ceased and everybody returned to their flats. We proceeded to Raj Path after tremors had stopped. Everybody, who was somebody in Delhi was at Rajpath in VVIP area. The parade went on as usual. It was only after we came back, we heard news that Gujarat was shaken by severe earth quake of 7.9 on the Richter scale. Earth quake struck at 0846 hours with Epicenter 20 km northeast of Bhuj. Kutch District was worst affected .I attended Crisis Management Group (CMG) meeting in afternoon just before the Republic Day reception hosted by the President .It was decided that one of the priority was to restore telecommunication facilities.
An IAF Illyushin IL-76 transport plane was parked on tarmac. Known as the Gajraj (King Elephant) in the IAF, the IL-76MD forms the strategic/heavy transport fleet. An estimated 28 aircraft are in service in two squadrons. Deliveries to the IAF began in 1985 and they were used in the Maldives in 1987 and in Sri Lanka during 1987-1990 to great effect. We were told to wait as group of doctors and volunteers were yet to arrive. Communication channels to Bhuj had been snapped. The airport in Bhuj has been damaged and, hence, it was out of service. The IAF managed to land a transport aircraft in the evening. Our aircraft finally took off at 8 PM. The aircraft had been packed up relief materials and we were asked sit in vacant space between harnessed boxes and windows. Takeoff and landing was very smooth and no seat belts needed as in case of commercial flights. By the time we reached my 10Litre water bottle had been finished by my co- passengers.
Gajraj IL 76
Scene at Bhuj Air Force station was that of complete chaos. All passengers formed groups as per their specialization and were awaiting District administration officials. We were received by a junior telecom officer, who could locate us with great difficulty as there was no light and airport was in complete darkness. We moved towards Bhuj town in Jeep but due to darkness at night, we could not see the devastation caused by the earthquake .Telecom District Manager had arranged tents and camp cots,so that staff could sleep outside in open air. Bhuj continued to get after shocks and no body was willing to sleep inside. It was only early next morning, while going to nearby P&T residential colony to use toilets, we notice havoc caused by the earth quake. Some multi-storied blocks had virtually sunk in ground. Some were more inclined than Tower of Pisa .People were all squatting in open air out fear of another earth quake.
Sunken Buildings in Bhuj
(Photos Courtesy BSNL)
Innovative engineers of maintenance organization had earlier put through a super group (60 telephone channels) between Bhuj and Rajkot and provided STD facility from CDOT exchange thus linking Bhuj with rest of country. We commissioned two Inmarsat terminals in District Collector’s office next morning for use by district administration. Lot of aid workers had already reached Bhuj and were waiting in DC office for instructions. We had received additional Inmarsat phones from VSNL .We opened free STD booth outside exchange for use of general public.
I spent 4 nights in Bhuj. During day time organized restoration work and visited outlying areas to assess damage. Telephone exchanges which were made of RCC framed structures survive the earth quake except partition walls which fell down .In main telephone exchange building where staff had assembled for flag hoisting ceremony there were lot of causalities.
Lot of men and material resource were mobilized from adjoining states. Water and food for staff was arranged from Rajkot. Some NGOs had established kitchens and were serving free food to needy. I along with group of officer was also eating food in nearby temple.
Return Journey was not less eventful. We were told to reach Air Force base at night. Families of Air Force Stations staff were being evacuated as many residential buildings had collapsed.AN32 Aircraft was waiting on the tarmac. First women and children were told to board aircraft and squat on floor. They seemed to quite comfortable but I found it unusual. I was worried about take off and landing without any belt. But I was quite surprised that take off was very smooth. We were informed about an hour later that visibility at Delhi was poor and aircraft was being diverted to Chandigarh. We landed at Chandigarh at about 4 AM. I was desperate to reach Delhi at the earliest; I got hold of an auto rickshaw and reached railway station well in time to catch Shatabdi Express. I was back home by 11 AM’
Ramesh Lalwani
15.10.08
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