First batch of COVID vaccine arrives at LGBI Airport Guwahati

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 12, 2021

The vaccine to fight pandemic is here. The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati received the first consignment of COVID vaccine from Pune here on 12 January 2021 for North East India.

A Spicejet freighter ferried over 730 Kg of cargo in 20 boxes having vaccine doses to be distributed for Assam and Meghalaya. The cargo boxes were received by the AAI cargo wing (Airports Authority of India Cargo Logistic and Allied Services Company Ltd.) AAICLAS, at the domestic cargo complex, Guwahati Airport.

Speaking to the reporters, M. Suresh, Regional Executive Director, AAI, North East Region said that we are very much equipped to transport COVID vaccine to different parts of the North East Region. The LGBI Airport has been marked as the nodal point of distribution of vaccine for the region, and we will fully cooperate with all the agencies in timely distribution of the vaccine through air cargo. Our cargo wing at Guwahati has readied up its infrastructure and have marked pick up points for effective and smooth flow of consignment, he added.

A total of 20 boxes having vaccine close to 2,40,000 doses was delivered at Guwahati Airport out of which 17 are for the state of Assam and 06 for Meghalaya. Each box has a 12,000 dose of vaccine. Flight no. SG 7715 arrived at 1658 hrs. from Pune via Kolkata and departed for Hyderabad. These boxes were handed over to the respective State Health Department for further distribution with 09 minutes of arrival.

The cargo complex at Guwahati Airport has made all possible arrangements for smooth dispersal of vaccine for its destination. Cold storage, dedicated pick-up points, help desk, exchange points, entry-exit and sanitisation area are some of them.

Ramesh Kumar, Airport Director, LGBI Airport Guwahati said that it’s a proud moment for all of us at AAI Guwahati that we, at North East India, have received the first batch of COVID vaccine. It is always a pleasure to be a part of such important task for the country. We are hopeful that AAI in coordination with our stakeholders and partners, will effectively deliver vaccine doses to all state governments, said Ramesh. Airport Cargo (AAICLAS) team led by in-charge N. Basha over all coordinated the consignment.

The officials from State Health Department, CISF chief of LGBI Airport, Airline staff, State traffic police, cold storage chain members and representatives from other stakeholders were present at the airport to receive and coordinate for the vaccine boxes.