Question : Transportation of Essential Medical cargo

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-

(a) whether aviation community ensured smooth services for the movement of needy people and transportation of essential goods including necessary medical cargo like vaccines, medicines, oxygen concentrators etc. during the rise of Covid-19 cases in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it has proved to be a boon during difficult times in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of the steps taken by the Government for better utilisation of these services during emergency situation in the country?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) to (e) Yes Sir. The Civil Aviation community played a key role in ensuring smooth services for movement of needy people and necessary medical cargo during the pandemic. The details of major steps taken by the Government for utilisation of air services during this period are as follows:

(i) During the initial lockdown period, Ministry of Civil Aviation launched Lifeline UDAN between 26th March, 2020 and 31st May, 2020 involving airlines, Indian Air Force (IAF) and other stakeholders. Around 1,000 tons of medical cargo comprising medical equipment, testing kits, PPEs, masks, gloves, medicines etc. were transported to different parts of the country covering almost 5.50 lakh kms.
(ii) Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) was operationalised in May 2020 to repatriate Indian nationals stranded abroad due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, till 30.04.2021, more than 29,000 inbound flights have been operated and over 55 lakh passengers have travelled on these flights to India from various parts of the world.
(iii) As on 13.7.2021, air transportation of 39.06 crore doses has been facilitated domestically and from abroad. AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS) has also set up an Operational Coordination Control Room (OCC) to monitor the vaccine transportation movement.