New Delhi:
Air India has transported 21 lifeboats from New York to Srinagar free of cost to aid the ongoing rescue and relief operations in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.
The 21 inflatable boats in a 100 kg consignment were given by "a good samaritan" and flown in the direct New York- Delhi flight and then sent to Srinagar, an airline spokesperson said.
On its arrival at Srinagar, the boats were immediately put into operation, he said, adding that earlier too, Air India had carried 15 boats for the Indian armed forces for evacuation purpose.
Air India also transported 20 tonnes of relief material, mostly medicines, drinking water, blankets, cooked food and chlorine tablets, on its two flights from Delhi to Srinagar.
Air India has been flying in large quantities of relief materials to Srinagar, Jammu and Leh over the past week, apart from ferrying a large number of armed forces and paramilitary personnel from Jammu to Srinagar and Leh to help in the rescue and relief operations.