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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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
