Major Kolkata Rescue: Cow Pulled Alive from Deep Sewer in Dramatic Operation
In a dramatic and intense four-hour operation that tested the limits of Kolkata's disaster management capabilities, a fully grown cow was successfully rescued from the city's subterranean drainage network on Thursday evening. The incident unfolded near the perpetually busy Haldiram crossing on VIP Road, requiring a highly coordinated effort from multiple emergency and civic agencies.
Coordinated Response Mobilizes Multiple Agencies
The rescue mission involved the Bidhannagar Traffic Police, the Fire Brigade, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and engineers from the agency overseeing Metro construction at the site. The ordeal began around 2:15 PM when the cow, which had been grazing near a Metro Railway construction area, fell into an open manhole. Officials later revealed that the manhole cover, installed as part of standard safety protocols, had been surreptitiously removed and stolen by local drug addicts, leaving the site dangerously exposed.
Alarm Raised and Immediate Action Taken
Civic volunteers attached to the Airport Traffic Guard first raised the alarm, promptly alerting their Traffic Inspector. This swift action led to the mobilization of the Fire Brigade and the Disaster Management Group (DMG). To aid the rescue, the Metro construction agency was summoned to provide technical blueprints of the intricate underground sewage architecture, crucial for navigating the complex network.
Perilous Conditions and Technical Challenges
Upon arrival, rescuers faced a grim scenario. Recent rainfall had partially filled the drainage pipes, and as the distressed cow struggled, the water level rose dangerously close to its mouth, threatening drowning. The police immediately informed the civic body, which deployed high-capacity pumps at Jatragachi and City Centre II to drain the excess rainwater, a critical move that likely saved the animal's life in the cramped conduit.
Extensive Search and Traffic Disruption
NDRF personnel descended into the first manhole but found no trace of the cow. A second manhole, located 20 meters away, also proved fruitless. The animal was eventually located in a third manhole, nearly 33 meters from the initial point of entry. By this time, the extensive rescue operation had brought the arterial VIP Road to a complete standstill. Bidhannagar Police were forced to divert New Town-bound traffic through Joramandir to create a sterile zone for the heavy machinery required for the extraction.
Successful Extraction and Aftermath
Rescuers managed to coax the exhausted cow toward the opening of the third manhole. Working in challenging, sludge-filled conditions, NDRF personnel skillfully manoeuvred heavy-duty nylon ropes beneath the animal's legs and torso. Around 5:45 PM, a Hydra crane was employed to slowly hoist the cow back to the surface. The animal was pulled out alive and appeared to have escaped life-threatening injuries, though it was visibly traumatised by the ordeal. Traffic on the crucial VIP Road stretch finally resumed around 6 PM, though residual congestion persisted for several hours afterward, highlighting the operation's significant impact on the city's infrastructure.
