PANAJI
A family of five narrowly escaped a tragedy in Bicholim when a 200-year-old Banyan tree fell on their car due to heavy rains. The Mamlekar family from Muslimwada, Bicholim, was trapped for over five hours. The operation, coordinated by Chandrakant Shetye, MLA for Bicholim, and supervised by Kundan Falari, Chairperson of Bicholim Municipal Council, involved the Bicholim Fire Department, medical services, public works department, and private operators.
Initial rescue efforts stalled because the JCBs couldn’t move the tree. Chandrakant Shetye sought help from Vedanta IOG, who provided floodlights and wheel loaders. Vedanta IOG’s operators, Atmaram Tilve and Sonu Mandrekar, lifted the tree enough for the rescue teams to save the Mamlekars, including a 14-month-old girl. Sara, 24, the mother, was the last to be rescued.
The family, now recovering from their injuries, expressed their gratitude to everyone involved. Sherfuddin Mamlekar, 61, said, “We are much better now, but what we went through was terrible. Words cannot express my gratitude.”
Santosh Mandrekar, Head of Vedanta IOG, said, “Our team’s swift response reflects Vedanta Sesa Goa’s core values. Atmaram Tilve and Sonu Mandrekar’s calmness under pressure saved lives and showed our commitment to community service and safety.”
