Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 5: The Indian Navy vessel of INS Talwar, carrying 40 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen has reached the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) port on the afternoon of May 5. The medical oxygen is donated by the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Indian Red Cross Society to overcome the current pandemic situation in the country.

It is learnt that this vessel which sailed from Manama in Bahrain carrying the oxygen in two cryogenic containers (54 tonnes) has reached the city. In addition to oxygen, there is also medical equipment required for the treatment of Covid patients in the vessel.

Further, INS Airavat from Singapore and INS Kolkata from Kuwait are heading back to India with liquid oxygen, oxygen filled cylinders, cryogenic tanks and other medical equipment. 

Vice admiral MS Pawar, deputy chief of Naval Staff on the progress of Operation Samudra Setu II and the arrival of the first consignment of liquid medical oxygen onboard INS Talwar at NMPT said, "As a part of the ongoing national effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu II to bring in by sea the much-needed oxygen and associated medical supplies from friendly countries. As many as nine warships have been diverted to various ports in the region extending from Kuwait in the West to Singapore in the East."

"Last year, the Indian Navy had launched Operation Samudra Setu to repatriate our distressed citizens from IOR countries, let me assure the countrymen that the Navy will continue with its efforts to bring relief and together, we will overcome this challenge,” he said.

"Three more warships are scheduled to pick up more supplies from Kuwait and Doha. The LPD INS Jalashwa, mission deployed in South East Asia is ready to be diverted to ports in the region as the situation demands," Pawar maintained.

The union government has already instructed the NMPT to handle these containers free of cost. This oxygen is likely to be distributed to the hospitals in coastal Karnataka.

NMPT handles Navy vessel “INS TALWAR” carrying 40 Metric Tonnes Liquid Medical Oxygen filled in cryogenic containers. The above medical oxygen is donated by the Govt. of Kingdom of Bahrain to Indian Red Cross Society to overcome the current pandemic situation in the Country. pic.twitter.com/rlF4nkBUwj

— New Mangalore Port Trust (@NewMngPort) May 5, 2021

Mangalore Customs, @blrcustoms facilitated swift clearance of Medical Oxygen containers imported on board #INSTalwar from Bahrain at @NewMngPort.#Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/cubxjZODoJ

— CBIC (@cbic_india) May 5, 2021