Mumbai, Aug 31: The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, in a move aimed at strengthening the force’s deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities.

The Navy said the commissioning of the indigenous vessel marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, is presiding over the commissioning ceremony.

The Navy spokesperson said in a post on X: “Nipun is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy today, with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, presiding over the ceremony.

“The commissioning marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.”

Speaking to media about the vessel and its capabilities, INS Nipun’s Commanding Officer, Captain L.S. Subramanian, highlighted its high level of indigenous content and its specialised role in deep-diving and submarine rescue operations.

“It is one of the indigenous platforms with more than 75 per cent indigenous content. This ship is one of its kind in the Navy, built for deep-diving operations and submarine rescue capabilities,” Captain Subramanian said.

He explained that the equipment installed aboard the vessel has been designed to support specialised diving operations and enable the ship to function as a platform for submarine rescue systems.

“Whatever has been fitted is meant for undertaking saturation diving, and it will serve as a mothership for embarking submarine rescue systems,” he said.

Captain Subramanian also spoke about the vessel’s operational role when asked about its weapons and equipment.

“When you talk about weapons, divers are our weapon and our rescue system. This ship is one of its kind, wherein we operate primarily for deep-diving operations,” he said.

INS Nipun is the second Diving Support Vessel constructed by HSL for the Indian Navy. The vessel has been designed to undertake specialised underwater operations, including deep-sea diving and underwater intervention, while providing a platform to deploy submarine rescue systems.

The induction of the vessel is expected to add to the Navy’s ability to respond to underwater emergencies and conduct complex diving missions in deeper waters. Its saturation-diving capability will allow trained divers to undertake prolonged underwater operations with the support of specialised equipment.

The commissioning also underlines the Navy’s focus on indigenous shipbuilding and development of specialised platforms for critical maritime missions. With more than 75 per cent indigenous content, INS Nipun reflects the growing role of domestic industry in building advanced platforms for the Indian Navy.

The vessel’s primary focus remains underwater intervention, deep-diving operations and submarine rescue, making its induction significant for enhancing the Navy’s specialised maritime support capabilities.

Nashik, Aug 29: A tragic road accident occurred near the eighth mile area on the Nashik-Mumbai highway when a speeding container truck hit four members of the same family who were walking along the road, police officials said on Saturday.

The accident left the father critically injured, while his three children also sustained injuries.

The injured were immediately taken to Nashik District Hospital in a free ambulance operated by the Jagadguru Narendra Maharaj Sansthan.

However, doctors declared the father dead after examination.

The deceased has been identified as Bhagirath Devaram Made, 45. His children — Mayur Bhagirath Made (16), Shyam Bhagirath Made (6), and Devyani Bhagirath Made (8) — were injured in the accident. The three children are currently undergoing treatment.

According to preliminary information shared by the police, Bhagirath Made was walking along the road with his three children when a speeding container truck struck them.

All four sustained injuries in the collision, the police said.

After receiving information about the accident, emergency assistance was provided and the injured were transported to Nashik District Hospital in a free ambulance, police added.

Despite all the efforts to take the injured to hospital timely, Bhagirath Made was declared dead by doctors, the police said.

Police reached the spot soon after the accident and took the container driver into custody.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.

The investigators are also trying to determine whether negligence or any other factor was responsible for the accident.

According to officials, the accident has once again raised concerns about pedestrian safety on the busy Nashik-Mumbai Highway.

Officials said that heavy traffic moves throughout the day on the highway where pedestrians are always at the risk.

Motorists have been urged to control their speed and drive carefully, particularly in areas where pedestrians are present, the police officials said.

Meanwhile, people who were there insist that patrolling needs to be increased.

Mumbai: As part of the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign launched by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), various departments are carrying out a drive to remove encroachments to ensure safe, convenient and obstacle-free routes for pedestrians. In the first phase of this campaign, 134 out of 200 marked footpaths have been cleared of encroachments, effectively freeing a total area of ​​197 km. Moreover, action was taken against 94 unauthorised stalls on footpaths near Bhandup Railway Station (West) in the last two days. Under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, as per the directions of the High Court, the BMC is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to immediately remove unauthorised hawkers and encroachments from footpaths across Mumbai. Commissioner Bhide has directed the Additional Municipal Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners to ensure strict implementation of this campaign. She is also personally reviewing the progress made in each administrative ward and the actions taken by various departments within these wards. The municipal administration has appealed to the business community and citizens of Mumbai to cooperate in this campaign. The ‘Pedestrian First’ (Padachari Pratham) campaign has been launched in Mumbai to make footpaths accessible to pedestrians. Accordingly, emphasis has been placed on removing obstructions from footpaths in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic such as the areas around Bhandup railway station. In the first phase, encroachments are being removed from 14 footpaths in Bhandup area. The work of removing encroachments from about 11 of these footpaths has already started. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakane, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 6) Mr. Santosh Kumar Dhonde and Assistant Commissioner (S-Ward) Samrin Syed.

The operation has cleared the way for pedestrians to and from Bhandup Railway Station. This will help in reducing traffic and pedestrian congestion during peak hours. Moreover, citizens will now have access to an obstacle-free footpath leading from Bhandup Railway Station area towards Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg. The operation involved 5 JCBs, 10 dumpers, over 50 officers and staff members, 100 labourers, and over 70 police personnel. Along with the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, ‘S’ ward is also making special efforts to eliminate ‘garbage vulnerable spots’ (GVPs) which are prone to accumulation of large quantities of garbage.

Appeal to business owners and citizens
The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration appeals to citizens to remember that footpaths are designed for the safe and easy movement of pedestrians. Do not create obstructions by placing unauthorized shops, stalls, structures or any other material on the footpaths. The corporation is continuously taking action to keep the footpaths clean under the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, and strict action will be taken against violators as per the rules. The campaign was carried out at 1,459 locations in the municipal corporation areas. In the first phase of this campaign, encroachments will be removed from 200 footpaths. Out of these, work has been completed on 134. Nearly 197 km of footpaths have been cleared of obstructions, with enforcement actions being carried out at 1,459 locations. The campaign is being carried out in all 26 administrative wards of the Municipal Corporation.