Kolkata Residents Experience Mixed Emotions as Gulf Conflict Unfolds
Relief and anxiety ran parallel across Kolkata on Wednesday as a handful of those stranded in the Gulf managed to return home, while many more continued their uncertain wait for flights out of the conflict-hit region. The situation highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by Indian citizens abroad during international crises.
Successful Returns Bring Moments of Joy
Among those who successfully returned was Priyadarshini Hakim, daughter of minister and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim. Priyadarshini, along with her mother, Ismat Hakim, and daughter, Aayat, had been stranded in Medina before securing seats on a flight from Jeddah to Mumbai. The trio reached Kolkata early on Tuesday after a journey that took them from Medina to Mecca to Jeddah airport.
"It feels good to be back," Priyadarshini said. "Our flight arrived early on Tuesday. My two sisters and father were observing Roza but they came to the airport to receive us early in the morning." Though she had originally booked a ticket for March 4, she advanced her departure after learning about available seats on a Jeddah flight on Monday. "I didn't want to take a chance," she explained, reflecting the urgency many felt as tensions escalated.
Many Kolkatans Remain Stranded Amid Uncertainty
Despite these successful returns, several Kolkatans remained stranded in Dubai, Doha and other Gulf transit hubs amid ongoing airspace disruptions. The situation has created significant anxiety for families back home who await news of their loved ones' safe return.
Notable among those affected is actor Subhashree Ganguly, who is stuck in Dubai with her son, Yuvan. She was scheduled to board an early-morning flight on Thursday, but until late Wednesday, her family in Kolkata remained unsure about her departure. "They are currently safe in a hotel but I just want them to be back here with us," said her husband Raj Chakraborty, director-MLA. "Emirates has a flight scheduled for 2 am on Thursday. Until they board it, we cannot be certain of their safe return. I am keeping my fingers crossed."
On-the-Ground Perspectives from Stranded Travelers
Tour operator Bamapada Gangopadhyay, who is in Dubai with a 25-member team, offered a different perspective on the situation. "We are in a war-torn country but we are all safe here," he reported. "Structures, like Burj Khalifa, are also standing tall and have been lit up. We are also regularly in touch with our families and will get back home when it is safe."
Gangopadhyay noted that the Emirates office had been crowded with people from across the world seeking rebooking, making it difficult to predict when they might return home. This sentiment was echoed by other stranded travelers experiencing similar challenges.
New Town resident Upasana Sinha, who was holidaying in Dubai and Abu Dhabi when tensions escalated, is currently staying at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. She has booked a flight ticket for March 8, hoping normal operations would resume by then. "We are aware of special flights but they are too difficult to get, given the rush," she explained. "People camping outside airports are being given preference."
Park Street resident Manisha Santaney, stranded in Dubai with her daughter, Meghna, reported that direct services to Kolkata had not resumed. "We are weighing our options and hoping flight movements would start later this week," she said, reflecting the cautious optimism many maintain despite the uncertainty.
India Intensifies Evacuation Efforts
In response to the crisis, India has significantly intensified evacuation efforts, scheduling approximately 58 special and chartered flights from corridors such as Fujairah, Muscat, and Jeddah. Major Indian airlines are contributing to these efforts:
- SpiceJet is operating eight dedicated services to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi
- IndiGo has deployed additional relief flights, subject to clearance
Despite these efforts, no regular flights to the Middle East operated for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, highlighting the ongoing challenges in restoring normal air travel amid the conflict. The evacuation operations represent a significant logistical undertaking as authorities work to bring citizens home safely while navigating complex geopolitical tensions.
