New Delhi: Joining the national effort to repatriate Indian nationals from foreign countries, Indian Navy on Tuesday launched Operation “Samudra Setu” - meaning “Sea Bridge”.
Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are presently en-route to the port of Male in Maldives to commence evacuation operations from May 8, Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said in a statement.
The government has been closely monitoring the situation with respect to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on our citizens abroad. The Indian Navy has been directed to make suitable preparations for their evacuation by sea”, the spokesperson added.
The Indian Mission in Maldives has prepared a list of Indian nationals to be evacuated by Naval ships and will facilitate their embarkation after the requisite medical screening.
A total of 1000 persons are planned to be evacuated during the first trip, catering for COVID- related social distancing norms vis-a-vis the carrying capacity and medical facilities available onboard.
The ships have been suitably provisioned for the evacuation operation.
The evacuated personnel would be provided the basic amenities and medical facilities during the sea-passage.
In view of the unique challenges associated with COVID-19 stringent protocols have also been stipulated.
The evacuated personnel will be disembarked at Kochi in Kerala and entrusted to the care of State authorities.
The operation is being progressed in close coordination with Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and various other agencies of the government and State governments.
