Indian Navy completes Operation Samudra Setu

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The Operation Samudra Setu, which was launched by the Indian Navy on May 5 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas by sea during the Covid-19 pandemic has been completed. 3,992 Indian citizens have been brought back to their homeland by sea.

Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) have participated in the operation which lasted over 55 days traversing more than 23,000 kilometers.

Indian Navy completes Operation Samudra Setu https://t.co/om5GtROtEq

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The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on ships and seafarers due to the compact environment and forced ventilation systems onboard ships. It was in these trying times and difficult conditions that the Indian Navy took up the challenge to evacuate our distressed citizens from overseas. The Navy has previously undertaken similar evacuation operations as part of Operation Sukoon in 2006 (Beirut) and Operation Rahat in 2015 (Yemen).

"The greatest challenge for the Indian Navy was to avoid any incident of outbreak of infection onboard the ships during the evacuation operation. Rigorous measures were planned and medical/ safety protocols unique to the operating environment of ships were implemented. These were strictly followed onboard the ships undertaking Op Samudra Setu resulting in the safe return of 3,992 of our citizens to their homeland," said a naval statement.

Ships used for the operation were specially provisioned and the Sick Bay or the clinic onboard was especially equipped with Covid-19 related equipment and facilities. Women Officers and military nursing staff were also embarked for the women passengers. Basic amenities and medical facilities were provided to all evacuees during sea passage on these ships.

Details of the evacuation are as follows: -

Ship	Date Embarked	Port of Embarkation	Number of Citizens	Date Disembarked	Port of Disembarkation
Jalashwa	8 May	Male	698	10 May	Kochi
Magar	10 May	Male	202	12 May	Kochi
Jalashwa	15 May	Male	588	17 May	Kochi
Jalashwa	1 June	Colombo	686	2 June	Tuticorin
Jalashwa	5 June	Male	700	7 June	Tuticorin
Shardul	8 June	Bandar Abbas	233	11 June	Porbandar
Airavat	20 June	Male	198	23 June	Tuticorin
Jalashwa	25 June	Bandar Abbas	687	1 July	Tuticorin

 

  Source : Times of India