Navy offers civil aid to Cochin Port Trust during union strike

The Southern Naval Command in Kochi extended assistance to the Cochin Port Trust (CoPT) by manning the essential services to ensure seamless operations of the establishment during the nationwide union strike on Friday.

Fifty-seven personnel of the Indian Navy provided technical and operational aid to CoPT which is under civilian manpower constraints caused by the strike.

"As part of Operation Himmat launched by Southern Naval Command at Kochi, various sections of CoPT were manned by naval personnel," a navy official said.

"The support rendered by the Indian Navy such as operating tugs, mooring boats, water barges and manning of all critical sections of CoPT is intended to ensure that operations of Cochin Port Trust are not adversely affected during the national strike," the official said.

The smooth and efficient handling of the entire operation by naval personnel with guidance from Port authorities is testimony to the effective coordination mechanism, the official said.

Operation Himmat is one of the many contingency measures undertaken by Indian Navy in aid of civil authorities during times of internal strife.