Andaman: Unable to airlift accident victim to Chennai hospital
family makes desperate calls for help
Port Blair: The family of a young man battling for life after a road accident in Andaman is desperately seeking urgent medical evacuation to Chennai, but bureaucratic hurdles and lack of immediate stretcher facilities have left them helpless.
The accident took place on Friday at Tushnabad, Andaman, when a speeding SSV Transport bus collided with the victim, causing severe injuries. The man, who remains unconscious for over 24 hours, has suffered a serious head injury and is currently receiving treatment at GB Pant Hospital in Port Blair. Doctors have stated that the next 48 hours are critical and have recommended shifting him to Chennai for advanced medical care. However, the family has been struggling to find an immediate way to transport him.
One of the victim’s relatives, Shahrukh Sayed, took to social media platform X on Saturday, pleading for urgent help. In his post, he expressed shock at the lack of immediate airlift options for stretcher patients from Andaman. He tagged various government authorities, airlines, politicians, and celebrities, hoping that someone would intervene and help with the medical evacuation.
According to Sayed, IndiGo Airlines informed the family that it would take at least 48 hours after payment and necessary formalities, and even then, it would be subject to seat availability. Meanwhile, Air India Express' website mentioned that their process could take 72 hours, but the family has reportedly received no response from the airline's customer care or staff at the Port Blair (IXZ) airport counter.
Air India, which previously offered stretcher facilities, has completely discontinuedthe service, leaving the family with even fewer options. Akasa Air, another airline operating in the region, does not offer stretcher facilities at all.
The family, in their desperate search for solutions, learned that another patient was shifted to Chennai on a stretcher via IndiGo Airlines, but only after a painstaking process that took 10 days of intensive follow-ups before approval was granted. The victim’s relatives are devastated as they do not have that much time and require immediate assistance.
“We need urgent help NOW. We have already started the medical documentation process, but time is running out. If anyone can help arrange an emergency medical transfer, please contact me immediately,” Sayed wrote in his plea.
He tagged prominent figures such as actors Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sonu Sood, as well as Andaman-based politicians and organizations. Calls have also been made to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, Airport Authority of India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Office, urging them to intervene.
As of now, no concrete solution has been found. The family continues to appeal for immediate action, hoping that authorities or organizations specializing in medical evacuation will step in before it is too late.
URGENT HELP NEEDED
— Shahrukh Sayed (@Shahrukh_333) March 1, 2025
My cousin brother met with an accident yesterday at Tushnabad, #Andaman when a speeding SSV Transport bus collided him. He has suffered a head injury and is currently unconscious for the past 24+ hours at #GBPantHospital, #PortBlair. Doctors have advised that…
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PM Modi to flag off Meerut Metro, Namo Bharat train on Feb 22
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday will visit Meerut and flag off the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat train at Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat station in the western Uttar Pradesh town.
From there, the prime minister will undertake a metro ride till Meerut South station and at around 1 pm, he will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation various development projects worth around Rs 12,930 crore in Meerut.
Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
The prime minister will dedicate to the nation the entire 82 Km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. He will inaugurate the remaining sections of India's first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which include the 5 km section between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and the 21 km section between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh.
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With a design speed of 180 km per hour, Namo Bharat is India's first regional rapid transit system. It will connect major urban centres such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut with Delhi at a faster pace, the statement said.
The Sarai Kale Khan, the originating station of the corridor, is one of the four Namo Bharat stations to be commissioned with this inauguration.
It is strategically located as a major multi-modal hub, seamlessly connecting Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, Delhi Metro's pink line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT, and the ring road. The other three Namo Bharat stations, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram, being commissioned are in Meerut.
The prime minister will also inaugurate the Meerut Metro services between Meerut South and Modipuram, operating on the same infrastructure as Namo Bharat, in a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.
The Meerut Metro will be India's fastest metro system with a maximum operational speed of around 120 kmph. The metro will cover the entire stretch in just 30 minutes, with all scheduled stoppages en route.
This seamless integration of Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro on the same infrastructure will ensure high-speed intercity travel and swift intra-city movement, setting a benchmark for integrated urban and regional transit in India. It will decongest road traffic and consequently lead to a significant reduction in vehicular carbon dioxide emissions.
These projects will provide further impetus to the prime minister's vision of transforming urban mobility and ensuring seamless, efficient, modern and sustainable public transport systems that improve ease of living for citizens, the statement said.
