Kerala Chief Minister Appeals to Prime Minister for Urgent Action on Gulf Repatriation Crisis
In a significant development highlighting the ongoing distress of Indian nationals abroad, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has once again reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a pressing request for immediate intervention. The communication, dispatched on Thursday, focuses on the severe challenges faced by a substantial number of Indian expatriates currently stranded across various Middle Eastern nations.
Critical Shortage of Flights and Soaring Costs Create Dire Situation
The core of the issue, as detailed in the letter, revolves around a critical shortage of both chartered and scheduled flight services operating from the Gulf region back to India. This limitation has left thousands, including numerous Keralites employed in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, struggling to secure passage home. The chief minister emphasized that the scarcity of flights from major aviation hubs in the Gulf has effectively stripped Indian nationals of viable and affordable travel options, trapping them in a state of uncertainty and hardship.
Vijayan has urgently called upon the Central Government to engage directly with airlines and flight operators. The objective is to negotiate and implement a substantial increase in the frequency of services connecting GCC countries to multiple destinations across India. Furthermore, he specifically requested that this expansion include Tier-II cities, ensuring a more comprehensive and accessible repatriation network that can alleviate the mounting pressure on stranded individuals.
Proposing a Systematic Approach to Prioritize Repatriation
To bring order and efficiency to the repatriation process, the Kerala CM put forward a detailed proposal for the establishment of a centralized registration system. This mechanism would be designed to systematically identify and prioritize passengers based on the urgency of their need to return. Vijayan suggested that such a platform could be effectively operated either through India's diplomatic missions stationed in the Gulf countries or via a dedicated, user-friendly online portal.
The implementation of this system, he argued, would enable authorities to accurately assess needs and ensure that the most vulnerable individuals—such as those with expiring visas, medical emergencies, or financial difficulties—receive assistance on a priority basis. Additionally, Vijayan stressed the importance of maintaining transparent communication channels with state governments, urging the Centre to keep them informed about all repatriation arrangements. This coordination would empower local authorities to provide necessary support and logistical assistance to returning citizens upon their arrival.
Addressing Exploitative Pricing and Broader Passenger Categories
A major point of concern raised in the letter is the issue of exorbitant and exploitative ticket pricing. Vijayan highlighted instances where certain airlines have been charging excessively inflated fares for chartered flights from the Gulf to India, taking advantage of the crisis-driven demand. He has formally requested the Central Government to intervene in this matter, advocating for regulatory measures to cap or monitor fares to prevent the financial exploitation of distressed passengers.
The chief minister's appeal also extends to broader categories of affected individuals. He specifically noted the difficulties faced by Indian nationals currently in Gulf countries on tourist or visit visas, whose return journeys must be facilitated in a coordinated and timely manner. Moreover, Vijayan drew attention to the plight of transit passengers—those using Gulf airports as hubs for travel to other continents—who have been left stranded mid-journey due to sudden flight cancellations and unpredictable airspace closures.
For this group, he proposed the creation of a dedicated helpline or a separate registration channel to address their unique and immediate needs, ensuring no one is overlooked in the comprehensive repatriation effort.
