Nashik, on Monday afternoon, the liver transplant surgery was undertaken on a patient in Pune. The organ travelled between the two cities in a mere 3.36 hours through the non-stop corridor.

It took 80 minutes for the cops to transport the liver from Gangapur road to Sangamner, about 61kms from Nashik.

All traffic signals along the highway were shut for easy travel for the convoy.

"It took 22 minutes for the ambulance escorted by police vehicle to travel from Rishikesh hospital at Gangapur road to Chincholi phata, while it required another 58 minutes to travel from Chincholi phata to Sangamner," said Shrikant Dhivare, deputy commissioner of police (zone II).

Subhash Bhanushali, 69, was admitted to Rishikesh hospital in Nashik after he suffered a stroke on Sunday night donated the organ as he declared brain dead on Monday morning.

After his family agreed to donate his organs, the medical teams decided to harvest kidneys, liver, eyes and skin for transplant.

"The operation to harvest the organs began at 11.30am on Monday. Each organ was removed safely and are in healthy condition," said Bhausahab Morey director of the hospital.