Mumbai, Mar 24: The Indian shipping sector has been sounded for a likely evacuation of Indians living in Gulf region in the wake of the US-led war against Iraq. "The Directorate-General of Shipping has sensitised shipping companies on the possibility of their ships being deployed for the purpose of evacuating Indians living in the Gulf region", Nautical Surveyor Captain H Khatri told a news agency here today. "Adequate input in this regards has been forwarded to the responsible agencies so that the subject of evacuating is undertaken during any contingency that may arise", he said. The directorate was also co-ordinating with all concerned agencies to provide protection, if necessary to Indian vessels in the region, he added. During a meeting last week the principal officer, mercantile marine department reviewed the position of various vessels carrying the Indian flag, their capacities and locations so that they could be notified in case their vessels were needed for evacuation, shipping sources said here today.


Bureau Report