Working round the clock, the Army Signallers put into action the plan to beef up communications and provide essential communications in order to restore the critical flow of information. Resources were mobilised on a war footing and a multispectrum communication setup was evolved. Ten satellite terminals, eleven high frequency radio sets and telephone cable for land-line communications were rushed to the quake-hit areas. Suitable reserve communication resources were also placed 'on call' to aid the authorities engaged in civic action programmes. With the resources in place, a 'guard wave' using high frequency radio sets was also established which connected Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Dharangdlra, Jamnagar and Bhuj. A radio net for relief columns was also established. Apart from INMARSAT communications, links on radio relay were established between Army exchanges and civil DoT exchanges for better coordination.

Similarly, Army engineers took upon themselves the task of clearance of blocked roads and arteries in Sukhpur village. Taking a proactive stance, Col Suresh Sharma, CO 54 Engineer Regiment chose this village intuitively as suitable task for one of his task forces, while carrying out reconnaissance in his area of responsibility. Annoyed with no response from any agency, the village heads were initially reluctant even to speak but the truthfulness in his promise endeared the Colonel to the villagers, who then responded with their quick cooperation.

Soon 'plan of action' was drawn and men and machines were deployed under Maj Rajesh Jindal. Next to be braided were loose pieces of earthmoving plant belonging to various civil agencies. A group of fifty villagers with ex-sarpanch Ramjee Bhai as their head joined in with ten tractors and trolleys. This composite task force cleared the priority areas so that rebuilding activity could start immediately. In addition, two schools were made functional, water supply restored and augmented and assets worth crores belonging to Union Bank of India recovered. "I had only heard earlier but have now experienced what good leadership can achieve. While Colonel treats me and my operators like his own men, it is a pleasure to work with this outfit", said Mr Jain, Executive Engineer-in-Charge of all civil machinery working on the site.