The chartered flight carrying the organ was airborne from Chandigarh at 6.51 pm, and touched down at the Delhi airport by 7.20 pm (Photo: Special arrangement).In a race against time, a 14-year-old Sudanese boy was saved on Saturday evening after a donor heart was retrieved from Command Hospital, Chandimandir, and flown to New Delhi in just 29 minutes.The coordination between the Indian Army, private medical teams, and aviation authorities marked the first-ever airborne organ mission of its kind in the northern sector, spanning from a military hospital to a private healthcare facility.The young patient, battling a terminal heart ailment at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, reportedly had less than 24 hours to live. In a ray of hope, a compatible donor heart was identified at the Command Hospital in Chandigarh.Despite the heavy air traffic typical of peak evening hours, the chartered flight carrying the organ was airborne from Chandigarh at 6.51 pm, and touched down at the Delhi airport by 7.20 pm. Within an hour of landing, the heart was successfully transplanted into the recipient.Group Captain P S Lamba, VSM (Retd), Vice President of Air Charter Service Private Limited, described the mission as a “historic achievement.”“This was a complex operation involving medical-legal documentation, OT briefings, CISF coordination under DGCA protocols, and the establishment of green corridors by civil traffic police in both cities,” Lamba said. “We are honoured to have played a role in saving this child’s life.”The mission was authorised by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). To maintain the organ’s viability, it was packed under strict sterile conditions with perfusion solutions and ice packs. Because of the risk of infection, the box could not be X-rayed or placed with general baggage, necessitating specialised handling by the aviation crew.Story continues below this adSenior officials associated with the mission noted that this successful transfer marks a milestone for India’s medical aviation sector.“This mission proves that India can successfully transfer critical organs like the heart within the precious 4-to-6-hour viability window,” a senior officer said. “It is an inspiring achievement for thousands of patients waiting for such rapid connectivity to become more frequent.”The joint operation involved Command Hospital (Chandimandir), Indraprastha Apollo Hospital (New Delhi), and Air Charter Services Private LimitedHina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd