New Delhi, Oct 13: Enhancing its operational capabilities, the Navy has inducted its first deep submergence rescue vehicle which is deployed to rescue downed or disaster-struck submarines at high sea.

Navy Spokesperson Capt D K Sharma said that with induction of the deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV), India has joined a select group of countries that have the capability to locate and rescue "distressed submarines".

At present, the US, China, Russia and a few other countries have the capabilities to deploy DSRVs.

"Indian Navy joins select league of nations with capability to search, locate and provide rescue to distressed submarines by induction of first Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel(DSRV) and associated kit in fly away configuration," he said.

Though DSRVs are used for rescue of personnel in downed submarines, they are also deployed for various other missions including to lay cables on the sea bed.

Some DSRV vessels are air transportable in very large military cargo.

Capt Sharma said the DSRV which was inducted can be mobilised from the naval base in Mumbai to nearest mounting port by air, land and sea.

The second DSRV is expected to be inducted at Visakhapatnam in 2019.

"The DSRV can be mobilised from Naval base at Mumbai to nearest mounting port by air/ land or sea for providing rapid rescue to the submarine in distress," the Navy spokesperson said.

Indian Navy sources said induction of the DSRV was part of the Navy's efforts to enhance operational capabilities when China has been ramping up its maritime presence in critical sea lanes which are of strategic importance to India.

Last year, the Indian Navy operationalised a new concept of deployment of warships in the Indian Ocean region to effectively counter China's growing presence in the strategically key waters

The "new mission-based deployment" involves deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft along critical sea lanes of communications.

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Ratlam (MP) (PTI): Ammonia gas leak at a factory in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district affected some people and triggered a panic, prompting authorities to shift workers from the unit, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place in Jaora town of the district at around 10.30 pm on Tuesday, following which police, fire brigade and administration authorities rushed to the site and stopped the leakage, they said.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Trilochan Gaud said the ammonia gas leak occurred at Porwal Ice Factory in Jaora town.

"Prima facie, it was ammonia leak. The police and the administration immediately sprinkled water, stopped the gas leak and brought the situation under control," Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said.

Some affected people were provided medical treatment, he said without elaborating.

There is a police line adjacent the factory. Some police personnel on night stroll first felt the gas leakage and acted as the first responder, the official said.

The gas leak was promptly detected and it was not a big incident, Gaud said.

Labourers from the factory were shifted immediately, he said.

Fire brigade immediately controlled the gas leak by spraying water, the SDM said, adding the situation is currently under control.