Bhubaneswar: The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar conducted a comprehensive full-scale emergency exercise, demonstrating its preparedness in handling major aviation mishaps.
The drill, held on Monday in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad air crash, simulated a critical emergency scenario involving an A321 commercial aircraft with 222 passengers.
The exercise depicted an aircraft reporting an engine fire warning before crash-landing within the airport premises, resulting in multiple fire locations and casualties scattered across a 500-metre radius, officials said.
Airport Director Prasanna Pradhan said the simulation tested the airport’s emergency response capabilities and multi-agency coordination.
Over 200 personnel from 11 various agencies participated in the drill, including Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), Odisha Fire Service, CISF, State Police, NDRF, airlines, and medical services. The exercise featured realistic elements such as crash fire tenders, ambulances, and volunteer ‘victims’ on stretchers, with temporary medical facilities enhancing the training’s authenticity.
The drill demonstrated the strength of the airport’s partnerships and the high level of readiness across all emergency response teams. Representatives from regulatory agencies and aviation safety organisations were present to evaluate the drill and provide feedback for future improvements, said Pradhan.
The exercise highlighted the airport’s commitment to passenger and staff safety while testing the effectiveness of its Airport Emergency Plan (AEP). Lessons learned and observations from the drill will be incorporated into the airport’s emergency response protocols to enhance future preparedness.
Similar exercise was carried out at Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda. The drill was part of the periodic testing of the AEP and was aimed to assess the airport’s preparedness and inter-agency coordination in responding to a major aircraft accident scenario within the aerodrome vicinity.
