National Flag carrier Air India will be creating a special helpline rescue cell even as it is ready to divert more of its commercial flights to rescue and help the flood ravaged people of Jammu and Kashmir. For this, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has sought the approval of the Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth.
“We will also be creating a special rescue cell with helpline numbers for the flood affected for the rescue mission, “ Air India CMD Rohit Nandan told The Pioneer. He further said:”that Air India is ready to divert its commercial flights in order to assist in the rescue of the flood affected people of Jammu Kashmir.”
All the 17 flights, he said, were operating normally in the area and were helping in the movement of essential items for the flood affected as also in stranded passenger movements. Nandan, however said that their work started only after the victims were enabled to reach the airports.
Already the flag carrier has deployed wide bodied Airbus 330 aircrafts for the supply of essential items like medicines, food and clothing for the flood affected. Several other private operators like Global Vectra and Himalayan Heli including transport aircrafts too had pitched in too help the flood affected. Government owned Pawan Hans helicopters has already been helping in the multi-agency rescue operations which includes the Indian Army, Indian Airforce , NDRF and SDRF.