ATOR N1200 in action: Indian Army’s amphibious vehicle rescues flood-hit villagers in Punjab — watch

NEW DELHI: Punjab has been grappling with severe floods, with rising waters of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers inundating villages and low-lying areas across Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, and other districts.

Thousands of residents, including women, children, and the elderly, have been stranded, prompting large-scale rescue operations. To reach areas cut off by floodwaters, the Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have deployed the ATOR N1200, an advanced amphibious all-terrain vehicle. The vehicle, capable of navigating swamps, rivers, marshes, dense forests, snow, ice, and rugged terrains, has proved indispensable in evacuating villagers and students from submerged schools and homes. In Gurdaspur, nearly 400 students and staff of a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya were rescued using the ATOR N1200, while other flood-hit areas in Amritsar saw coordinated army and district administration efforts.

The ATOR N1200 is manufactured indigenously by JSW Gecko Motors Pvt Ltd in Chandigarh, under a joint venture with UK-based Copato Ltd. Modeled on the SHERP N1200, it is designed as a specialist mobility vehicle (SMV) for extreme off-road and amphibious operations.

The vehicle can carry up to nine people, including the driver, and has a payload capacity of 1,200 kg, with towing capability of 2,350 kg. Constructed with a high-strength Docol steel frame resistant to deformation, the ATOR N1200 features massive 1.8m-high tyres that serve both for traction on rough terrain and flotation in water. Its compact 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine delivers 55 bhp and 190 Nm of torque, allowing it to operate in temperatures ranging from –40°C to +40°C.

The ATV’s innovative skid-steering mechanism, controlled by two levers, allows precise maneuvering across obstacles and water bodies, while its flat-bottom design and zinc-coated components ensure durability and a service life of up to 30 years. The vehicle has been deployed extensively in Punjab’s flooded districts, including Ramdas, Ghonewala, Machhiwala, Mangu Naru, Shahzada, and others. Rescue teams have been using it to move stranded people to safety and deliver essential supplies. Schools have been ordered to remain closed until August 30, while local administrations, backed by chief minister Bhagwant Mann, continue relief operations with the support of Army and NDRF teams. The ATOR N1200 represents a significant step in India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, combining indigenous manufacturing with cutting-edge technology to support both military and disaster-relief operations.(With agency inputs)