Detailing the response from the police department, Additional Commissioner Vidhi Chaudhary of Ahmedabad police spoke with mid-day about the department’s role in securing the site, assisting other agencies and the grieving families while keeping rumour mills at bay.

Can you detail the police department’s response during the critical first hour after the crash?
We created a double-layer green corridor for the rescue teams within a one-kilometre radius of the crash site. A total of 600 police personnel assisted in establishing this corridor. We received information about the incident at 1.43 pm on June 12 and reached the site by 1.48 pm. The entire staff — including DCPs, ACPs, Senior PIs, and constables — was present at the scene.

We also coordinated with radio jockeys to spread the message advising people not to travel on this route. An emergency helpline was set up for the families of the victims to provide information and updates. We received 129 distress calls and provided callers with contact details and the address of the Civil Hospital.
When we arrived at the site, the temperature due to the flames was extremely high — nearly 1000°C —making it impossible to enter the area.