As the rescue operation into the Taratala warehouse collapse incident continued into its third day, West Bengal MLA Indranil Khan broke down on the latest equipments that are deployed in the efforts.
“The rescue operation is ongoing. All latest technologies like hydraulic cranes, concrete breaker, drone technology,…censors through which we get evidence of life inside,” Khan said in an exclusive conversation with The Statesman on Friday.
Highlighting the seamless coordination between the Centre and the state in the operation, the BJP MLA said, “NDRF, army, Kolkata Police, Kolkata Corporation, fire brigade, everyone is working together.”
উদ্ধারকাজে অত্যাধুনিক প্রযুক্তি, আটকে পড়াদের বার করতে জোর চেষ্টা প্রশাসনের#Taratala #TaratalaCollapse #RescueOperation #IndranilKhan@IndranilKhan pic.twitter.com/VpjSWCf9ux
— Dainik Statesman (@StatesmanDainik) June 26, 2026
Personnel from the Kolkata Police Disaster Management Group, the Fire and Emergency Services, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Civil Defence, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the army have been deployed.
On Thursday, heavy rain hampered rescue efforts, however operations picked up pace on Friday.
The absence of official record on the number of workers present when the structure collapsed posed another hindrance to their efforts. Witnesses estimated that around 50 and 60 labourers had been working at the site when the incident took place.
The Army’s Eastern Command deployed four columns and seven specialised teams equipped with engineering machinery, medical personnel and ambulances. A 10-bed emergency medical facility has been established near the site.
“Seven NDRF teams comprising 210 personnel are at the site. We are searching through the rubble to look for people still trapped inside,” a senior NDRF officer said.
The warehouse was being constructed by a private operator on a 6,689 sq m plot leased from the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority.