The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is expanding its fleet of Mobile BSL-3 (MBSL-3) laboratories to enhance India’s outbreak response capabilities, particularly in remote and underserved regions. These fully indigenous, state-of-the-art mobile labs provide critical diagnostic capacity for dealing with high-risk pathogens, including emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Currently, two mobile laboratories are operational in Pune and Gorakhpur. Known as RAMBAAN (Rapid Action Mobile BSL-3 Laboratory), this initiative is part of India’s ‘Advanced Augmented Network’ for public health emergency preparedness. These labs were successfully deployed during the Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala (Kozhikode in 2023 and Malappuram in 2024), where they played a crucial role in rapid diagnosis and containment, showcasing the strategic value of such infrastructure in managing health crises.
Developed in partnership with Klenzaids Contamination Controls Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, the MBSL-3 is built on a heavy-duty Bharat Benz chassis, compliant with BS VI standards. It is designed to function in extreme environmental conditions and is classified as a Type-IV Rapid Response Mobile Laboratory under the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).
The mobile lab includes four designated zones for operational efficiency and biosafety:
Zone 1: Driver’s cabin and outer change room
Zone 2: Shower and inner change room
Zone 3: Main laboratory
Zone 4: Decontamination and staging area
It is equipped with biological safety cabinets, a programmable logic controller (PLC) system, dynamic pass boxes, and a biometric-controlled shower system. Biosafety is ensured through a negative air pressure environment, HEPA-filtered HVAC system, double-door autoclaves, and a biological liquid effluent decontamination system. Communication and surveillance are managed via walkie-talkies and CCTV systems.
The lab can operate on direct electric supply, diesel generators, or petrol generators, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. Validated by ICMR-NIV Pune, it follows stringent BSL-3 protocols, including PPE usage and SOPs for sample handling.
These mobile units are a critical part of India’s plan to develop on-site diagnostic surge capacity, enabling rapid, field-level detection and management of infectious threats. Their deployment follows a comprehensive protocol covering logistics, personnel readiness, equipment checks, and regulatory approvals—making them a vital tool for national health security.