Kolkata Experiences Mixed Emotions as Gulf Evacuations Unfold
On Wednesday, Kolkata witnessed a stark contrast of emotions as a handful of its residents managed to return home from the conflict-ridden Gulf region, while a larger number continued their anxious wait for flights out of the area. The situation has created a parallel narrative of relief and uncertainty across the city.
Successful Returns Amid Tensions
Among those who safely arrived was Priyadarshini Hakim, daughter of minister and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim. Priyadarshini, accompanied by her mother, Ismat Hakim, and daughter, Aayat, had been stranded in Medina. The trio reached Kolkata early on Tuesday after securing seats on a flight from Jeddah to Mumbai. "It feels good to be back. 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," Priyadarshini recounted.
The family had traveled from Medina to Mecca and then to Jeddah airport. Although Priyadarshini 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 emphasized, highlighting the urgency felt by many in the region.
Ongoing Strandings and Anxiety
Despite these returns, numerous Kolkatans remain stranded in Dubai, Doha, and other Gulf transit hubs due to airspace disruptions. Notable among them 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 as of late Wednesday, her family in Kolkata remained uncertain about her departure.
"They are currently safe in a hotel but I just want them to be back here with us. 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," said her husband, director-MLA Raj Chakraborty.
Ground Realities and Evacuation Efforts
Tour operator Bamapada Gangopadhyay, who is in Dubai with a 25-member team, provided insights into the ground situation. He noted that while the region is war-torn, the immediate environment is calmer than the panic back home might suggest. "We are in a war-torn country but we are all safe here. 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," he explained.
Gangopadhyay pointed out that the Emirates office has been crowded with people from across the world seeking rebooking, making it difficult to predict return timelines. "It is difficult to say when we can return home," he added, reflecting the widespread uncertainty.
Individual Struggles and Hopeful Plans
Other stranded residents shared their experiences:
- Upasana Sinha, a New Town resident holidaying in Dubai and Abu Dhabi when tensions escalated, is staying at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. She has booked a flight ticket for March 8, hoping normal operations resume by then. "We are aware of special flights but they are too difficult to get, given the rush. People camping outside airports are being given preference," she said.
- Manisha Santaney, a Park Street resident stranded in Dubai with her daughter, Meghna, mentioned that direct services to Kolkata have not resumed. "We are weighing our options and hoping flight movements would start later this week," she stated.
Intensified Evacuation Operations
In response to the crisis, India has ramped up evacuation efforts, scheduling approximately 58 special and chartered flights from corridors such as Fujairah, Muscat, and Jeddah. Key initiatives include:
- SpiceJet operating eight dedicated services to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi.
- IndiGo deploying additional relief flights, subject to clearance.
Notably, no regular flights to the Middle East operated for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, underscoring the severity of the airspace disruptions. The combined efforts aim to facilitate the safe return of stranded Indians, but challenges persist due to high demand and logistical constraints.
As Kolkata navigates this dual reality of homecomings and prolonged waits, the city remains on edge, with families closely monitoring evacuation updates and praying for the swift return of their loved ones from the conflict zone.
