Bhuj: Tata Group of industries Chairman Ratan Tata on Saturday visited the quake-affected villages in a bid to identify and finalise them for adoption for short-term relief and rehabilitation work.

"The situation was devastating. We had sent in our team of volunteers earlier. I have just come to see them and the villages. I have visited a number of these," he said.

He, however, declined to comment on the firm commitments from the group for relief purposes.

Before flying out of Bhuj, he met senior state government officials, including the principal secretary to the government of Gujarat, L. Mansingh.

When contacted Mr. Mansingh said the Tatas had earlier indicated that they would adopt five villages.

Mr. Mansingh said the government of Gujarat would soon be writing to all the industrialists who have shown interest for adopting villages for a firm commitment.

According to Tata group corporate advisor Jamshed Kanga, who is co-ordinating the group's relief efforts in Gujarat, residents of the destroyed villages to be adopted by the Tata group will be encouraged to self-build their homes, with material and technical help being provided by the group.

Special consignments comprising relief material like tents, battery torches, cells, candles, matchboxes and rechargeable lamps were sent ahead by chartered planes, Mr. Kanga said.

Immediate efforts had included sending 320 units of blood to hospitals in Bhuj, mobilising pick-up trucks and four-wheelers to carry supplies and providing the Tata ambulance for doctors at the Bhuj hospital. The Lifeline Express was also pressed into action. Currently stationed at Gandhidham, the Express operates a kitchen for more than 600 people and its two well-quipped operation theatres have also been put to use.

Tata Chemical Ltd. Managing Director Prasad Menon said that men and equipment from the Tata Chemical's plant at Mithapur, which suffered minor damages, were pressed into service to assist relief in Darka, Okha and neighbouring areas. More than 40 tonnes of food were rushed within the first few days of the quake, he said.