Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Government Launches Comprehensive Relief Efforts
Intensive Rescue Operations Initiated
In the aftermath of the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, the State Government has promptly commenced extensive rescue and relief operations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has spearheaded the activation of a dedicated government team to ensure a swift and coordinated response, as stated by the Chief Minister's Office.
Support for Victims' Families
District collectors have reached out to the families affected by the crash. To facilitate the timely processing of insurance and compensation claims for the legal heirs, district-level accounting officers and other designated officials have been appointed as Nodal Officers. The district administration is committed to providing full support to the families during this challenging time. A Joint Cell will be established at the hospital to streamline the insurance claim process, in accordance with IRDAI's guidelines.
Insurance Companies Mobilized
New India Assurance has been appointed as the primary insurer for the General Insurance Council, while HDFC Life will serve as the lead insurer for the Life Insurance Council. With assistance from the district administration, help desks for New India Assurance, HDFC Life Insurance, and LIC have been set up at the Civil Hospital to ensure efficient processing of insurance claims for the deceased passengers and other affected individuals, along with providing necessary guidance.
DNA Matching and Counseling Support
The district administration is also providing the nodal officer details of the respective insurance companies to the victim families. Efforts are underway to assist insurance companies with essential information, including the passenger list, to expedite claim processing. Twelve teams are currently engaged in DNA sampling operations to facilitate matching procedures, while counseling support is being offered to the affected families.
Healthcare Support Deployed
The Health Department has dispatched over 855 health personnel, including 100 healthcare workers at the trauma center, to aid medical relief efforts. This includes both regular staff from the Civil Hospital and additional personnel brought in for this emergency response. So far, 250 blood samples have been collected from relatives of the passengers and local residents impacted by the incident.
Progress on Identifying Mortal Remains
Out of the collected samples, 62 DNA matches have been confirmed. Of these, 27 mortal remains have been returned to their respective families. Additionally, 8 remains were identified without DNA testing and handed over to families two days ago. In total, 35 remains have been returned, with only 3 samples pending from relatives currently in the U.K., who are expected to arrive in the next few days.
Coordinated Handover Process
To manage the handover of mortal remains and maintain communication with the families of the deceased, over 250 Nodal and Assistant Nodal Officers have been appointed by the district administration. Supervisory officers have also been assigned to ensure that all procedures are conducted smoothly. These officers provide comprehensive support to families, from initial contact to assisting through all stages of the process until the final rites.
Transportation and Accommodation Arrangements
Once DNA matching is confirmed, remains are transported via ambulance, accompanied by police escort, to the family's specified location for final rites. Officers also ensure the handover of necessary documents and any recovered belongings, remaining present until the funeral is completed. The state government is coordinating with emergency operation centers in other states for relatives living outside Gujarat.
Family Support and Communication
Contact has been established with the respective Nodal Officers in those states, ensuring continuous coordination for all inter-state cases. A dedicated team from Air India is stationed at the Civil Hospital around the clock. As more family members of the crash victims arrive, arrangements for air travel are being provided free of charge based on their needs.
Government's Commitment to Families
The Roads & Buildings Department has arranged transportation and accommodation facilities to ensure the comfort of the families. Through various helplines and control rooms established by the State Government, nearly 1,700 calls have been received, and appropriate actions have been taken accordingly.