This refers to the report "Blast sinks INS Sindhurakshak; experts blame battery fire, ammunition explosion" (August 15). The devastating fire that damaged the INS Sindhurakshak, is painful for the Indian Navy. This comes after India leap-frogged nations by launching the first indigenously built nuclear submarine, the INS Arihant, and the aircraft carrier Vikrant. It is high time we develop and possess deep-submergence rescue vessels (DSRVs). The private sector and the Defence Research and Development Organisation should make joint efforts in this direction. It is all the more essential to equip the Navy with submarine rescue equipment that can rescue sailors from the ocean, by linking up with the submarine's hatch. Divers are not able to reach the ocean depth since they have limitations and it is the same case with diving support vessels such as the INS Nireekshak. This aspect should have been given very serious thought, with the launching of nuclear submarines.
Deendayal M Lulla, Mumbai
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