'Lifeline Udan': 200 tons of medical supplies reach across India

 Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that 200 tonnes of medical supplies have been transported across the country under the Centre's 'Lifeline Udan' initiative.

In a tweet, the minister said: "200 tonnes of critical supplies across 1,32,000 km.... Mission Lifeline Udan is in full swing. No Indian will be left behind. Together, we shall overcome."

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, these flights were operated to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India's war against Covid-19.

These flights were operated by Air India, Alliance Air, Indian Air Force, Pawan Hans and private carriers such as SpiceJet and IndiGo.

The cargo included COVID-19 related reagents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits and PPEs such as masks, gloves and other accessories of HLL and cargo requisitioned by state or UT governments and also postal packets.

The 'Lifeline Udan' flights connected hubs in locations such as Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Agartala, Aizwal, Dimapur, Imphal, Coimbatore, Thiruvanthapuram, Bhu baneswar, Raipur, Ranchi, Port Blair, and Goa.

Special focus has been given to the northeast region, island territories and the hill states.

The ministry, Air India and IAF have collaborated closely for last-mile deliveries to Ladakh, Dimapur, Imphal, Guwahati, and Port Blair.

As part of India's war against Covid-19, the Civil Aviation Ministry had launched 'Lifeline Udan' flights on March 26 for transport of medical and essential supplies across the country and beyond.

At present, no foreign or domestic passenger flight operations are allowed in India due to lockdown in the wake of coronavirus scare. IANS