INDIA.Mumbai: A Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has been installed onboard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk III) from Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS 323) at air Naval station at INS Hansa, Goa by the Bengaluru-based state-owned plane-maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
With ALH Mk III, an all-weather aircraft, being equipped with MICU, the Indian Navy can now undertake the medical evacuation of critical patients by air even in unfavourable weather conditions.
The MICU has two sets of Defibrillators, Multipara Monitors, Ventilator, Oxygen Support as well as Infusion and Syringe Pumps. It also has a suction system to clear secretions in the mouth or airway of the patient. The system can be operated on an aircraft power supply and also has a battery backup of four hours. The equipment can be installed in two to three hours to convert the aircraft into an air ambulance. This is the first of eight MICU sets to be delivered by HAL to the Indian Navy, Defence Spokesman Commander Mehul Karnik said.
In the meanwhile, the prestigious “Nehru Centre, London”, will be conducting a “webcast on “1971 War – Indian Naval Attack on Karachi” on May 31, Monday. Opening remarks will be by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, and Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. The Indian Navy 1971 war veterans, Vice Admiral Suresh Bangara, Rear Admiral Sampath Gopal, and Commodore Inderjit Sharma will recount this daring naval battle in discussion with Amish Tripathi, author, and Director, Nehru Centre London and Commodore Srikant Kesnur, Officer in Charge, Naval History Project.
Floating jetty at old Goa
In another development, the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated the second floating jetty at Old Goa in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on the occasion of Goa statehood day on Sunday.
The Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated the second floating jetty at Old Goa, on Sunday. (Photo credit: PIB).
Mandaviya expressed hope that the floating jetty at Old Goa will prove a game-changer for the tourism sector of Goa. He also announced that Panjim and Old Goa will be connected by ferry and cruise services. The Minister said the jetty will offer safe, hassle-free transportation to the tourists. He lauded the work done by the Goa Government in making the tourism sector a growth engine of the state. The Union Government has approved a plan to set up two Concrete floating jetties on River Mondovi (NW-68) to connect Old Goa and Panjim.
This is the second floating jetty constructed on River Mondovi (NW-68). Earlier, the first jetty located at Captain of Ports, Panjim, was inaugurated on February 21, 2020 by Mandviya
Concrete floating jetties have many advantages over the fixed jetties. – Their price is approximately 1/5th of the price of a fixed jetty. Similarly, they are quicker to build and install, easier to use. The designed life of a floating jetty is up to 50 years. Also, being floating structures they don’t need CRZ clearances. They can be increased in size or reduced as per changes in users’ requirements or the changes in the jetty site’s hydrographic profile.
