New Delhi, 30 June: Demonstrating its commitment to inclusive healthcare and community welfare, NTPC Bongaigaonhas launched three fully equipped boat ambulances under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to improve access to medical services in flood-prone riverine villages of Kokrajhar district, Assam.
Implemented in partnership with the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and the Directorate of Health Services, BTC, the ₹20 lakh initiative is designed to address the healthcare challenges faced by residents of remote char (river island) areas that are frequently cut off during annual floods.
The boat ambulances were inaugurated and flagged off by Derhasat Basumatary, Executive Member for Health & Family Welfare, BTC, in the presence of Moon Moon Brahma, Executive Member for Urban Development, BTC, Nilu Brahma, Director of Health Services, BTC, senior officials from NTPC Bongaigaon, district health authorities and local community representatives.
Floating Healthcare Units for Remote Communities
The specially designed boat ambulances will serve Khutabagra and nearby riverine villages, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services even when road connectivity is disrupted during the monsoon.
Each boat is equipped with essential medicines, emergency medical equipment and basic diagnostic facilities, and will be staffed by trained healthcare professionals, including medical personnel and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs).
Besides emergency patient transportation, the floating clinics will provide primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, immunisation support and treatment for common illnesses.
Critical Lifeline During Floods
Speaking at the launch, Derhasat Basumatary said the initiative would significantly improve access to timely medical care for vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women, children, senior citizens and emergency patients living in flood-affected areas.
He noted that the service would bridge a critical healthcare gap by ensuring that residents continue to receive medical assistance even during prolonged flooding.
Strengthening Public Healthcare Delivery
Moon Moon Brahma highlighted the importance of partnerships between public institutions and responsible corporate organisations in improving healthcare outcomes in rural and disaster-prone regions.
She appreciated NTPC Bongaigaon’s continued investment in community development and its contribution to strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
Nilu Brahma, Director of Health Services, BTC, said the boat ambulances would function as mobile healthcare units, delivering medicines, essential medical services and trained healthcare personnel directly to isolated villages.
According to him, the service will support routine immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, treatment of common ailments and emergency medical response, thereby strengthening the public health system in inaccessible locations.
CSR Driving Inclusive Development
Healthcare remains one of NTPC Bongaigaon’s key CSR priorities. Company officials said the boat ambulance initiative reflects NTPC’s commitment to ensuring that geographical barriers do not prevent vulnerable communities from accessing quality healthcare.
The floating ambulances are expected to provide year-round medical outreach while serving as a critical lifeline during flood emergencies.
Over the years, NTPC Bongaigaon has implemented several impactful CSR initiatives across healthcare, including medical camps, cancer screening programmes, healthcare infrastructure development and institutional support.
The launch of the three boat ambulances marks another significant step in the company’s efforts to improve healthcare access and create sustainable social impact in some of Assam’s most remote and flood-prone communities.
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