Indian Navy Completes Operation Samudra Setu

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– globalbihari bureau

New Delhi: Operation Samudra Setu, which was launched on May 5 to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic, was concluded on Wednesday. The operation ensured the return of 3,992 Indian citizens to their homeland by sea.

Four Indian Naval Ships — Jalashwa, Airavat, Shardul and Magar  — participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more than 23,000 kilometers by sea.

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Indian Navy had previously undertaken similar evacuation operations as part of Operation Sukoon in 2006 (Beirut) and Operation Rahat in 2015 (Yemen).

This time 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,” the Defence Ministry stated. It added that Op Samudra Setu was undertaken utilising Indian Naval ships best suited for the operation, catering for COVID-19 related social distancing norms vis-à-vis medical arrangements and carrying capacity. “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,” it said.

Basic amenities and medical facilities were provided to all evacuees during sea passage on these ships.  One of the expectant mothers who undertook passage on Jalashwa, Sonia Jacob, also gave birth to a baby boy within a few hours of reaching Kochi on International Mother’s Day.

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