New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated the process of procuring two more Mobile BSL-3 (MBSL-3) laboratories to step up outbreak response capabilities and bolster public health delivery, especially in remote and inaccessible areas.
Called RAMBAAN, there are currently two such laboratories — each stationed at ICMR’s two institutes, the National Institute of Virology in Pune and the RMRC in Gorakhpur, UP.
RAMBAAN is the first of its kind, Rapid Action Mobile BSL-3 laboratory and is fully indigenous. It is field-deployable and designed to meet enhanced diagnostic demands during outbreaks of known and unknown high-risk pathogens.
The MBSL-3 lab was first used during the Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode, Kerala, in September 2023. It was deployed again in the Malappuram district in July 2024. Built on a Bharat Benz vehicle chassis, it complies with BS-VI norms and can function in extreme conditions. The lab can carry up to 17,000 kg.
Classified as a Type-IV Rapid Response Mobile Laboratory (RRML) by WHO’s GOARN network, the lab maintains negative air pressure. It includes an advanced HVAC system with HEPA filters and features like a double-door autoclave and a biological liquid effluent decontamination system for waste management.
The laboratory’s interior is divided into four zones: driver and outer change room, shower and inner change room, main laboratory, and material staging area. Key installations include Class II A2 biological safety cabinets and an intelligent programmable logic controller system.
Power for the lab can come from a direct electric supply or diesel generators. It also has an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and petrol generators for backup. Communication is supported by walkie-talkies and CCTV for real-time surveillance.
The RAMBAAN labs represent a significant step forward in India’s ability to respond to health emergencies swiftly and efficiently. By expanding its fleet of mobile laboratories, ICMR aims to strengthen public health infrastructure across the country.
