The Government of Maharashtra sent relief materials for the Tsunami-affected people of the Union Territories and States both by of Indian Airforce planes and by rail.

In the morning of 30th of December 2004, two IAF aircrafts (AN-32) took off with relief materials of four metric tons each consisting of clothes, food, medicine and drinking water for Pondicherry. On 30th December itself another IAF aircraft (AN-32) left for Pondicherry with 400 metric tons of medicine.

The Government of Maharashtra also sent relief materials for the Tsunami-affected people of Andaman and Nicobar islands by an IAF aircraft (IL-76) that took off for Car Nicobar on 30th December 2004. On the same date, another IAF aircraft RK 3452 (IL-78) also reached Car Nicobar islands with 23.5 M.Ts. of relief materials.

On 31st December 2004, a Government of Maharashtra sent relief team of 128 members for Andaman and Nicobar islands by a special IAF aircraft from the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 0215 hrs. The team consisted of Government Doctors, BMC conservancy staff, Search and Rescue personnel, civil defence and home guard jawans, along with CISF staff. The team reached the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the morning of 31st December 2004 and has swung into relief efforts.

On 2nd January 2005, one AL-32 aircraft carrying 4,500 ltrs. of drinking water took off from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Airport. Another IAF cargo aircraft IL-78 took off in the morning of 3rd January 2005 loaded with drinking water, tents, torch and dry cells, clothes and blankets.

The Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation Dr. Patangrao Kadam, has visited Pondicherry for assessment of the situation. He had a meeting with the Chief Minister, Lieutenant Governor and senior government officials. He has assured all possible assistance for the recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pondicherry.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri. Vilasrao Deshmukh visited the tsunami ravaged parts of Pondicherry on 8th January 2005. A team of Government of Maharashtra officials consisting of engineers, planners and bureaucrats was visiting Pondicherry to assess the rehabilitation interventions of Government of Maharashtra. The team held several high-level meetings with the Chief Minister, Governor and other government functionaries.

The sending of relief material by the Government of Maharashtra by air, as per the requirement of affected Union Territories and as intimated by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India continued in the second week of the Tsunami disaster also. The aircrafts RK 3454 (IL-78) carrying 20 M.Ts of relief material from Mumbai reached Car Nicobar on 4th January 2005. Another aricraft RK 3453 (IL-78) carrying 16 M.Ts. of materials reached Car Nicobar islands on 6th January 2005.

Besides sending relief materials by air, Government of Maharashtra started sending relief materials also by rail with effect from 8th January 2005. A parcel van carrying 10 M.Ts. of relief material started for Chennai from Wadi Bunder on 9th January 2005. Four numbers of parcel vans carrying 71 M.Ts. of relief material were dispatched to Pondicherry from Wadi Bunder on 8th January 2005.

Material sent by air                                                         Material sent by rail