Pune Residents Stranded in Dubai Amid West Asia Unrest Seek Urgent Return
Residents of Pune who are currently visiting Dubai and find themselves stranded in the city due to the closure of airspace amid ongoing unrest in West Asia have voiced their strong desire to return home as soon as possible. While they have confirmed their safety, the uncertainty and stress of the situation are taking a toll on them.
Families and Businessmen Anxiously Await Flights
Vinod Solanki, a businessman from NIBM Road in Pune, is stuck in Dubai with four family members, including his wife, two children, and mother. They are all secure at a hotel in the Al Jaddaf area. "We came to Dubai on February 22 and were supposed to return to Pune from Abu Dhabi on Saturday, but our flight got cancelled," Solanki explained. "On Sunday morning, we heard loud noises that sounded like explosions. The city looks normal outwardly, and people are going about their day, but we just want to come back home now."
Solanki has instructed his travel agent to book tickets to any city in India, hoping to at least return to the country and then make their way to Pune. "We may not be feeling scared in Dubai right now, but we are surely stressed and anxious," he added, noting that he heard people had been advised not to attend office on Sunday in Dubai.
Another Pune resident, Ajay Bhatevara from Kothrud, is also waiting for updates at his hotel apartment near Dubai Frame. His Air India flight to Mumbai on Sunday was cancelled. "My family back home has been calling continuously, and I am in touch with them. They are worried, and I am providing them with all available news," Bhatevara said. He has been communicating with other Pune residents stuck in Dubai, sharing information to stay informed.
Students and Faculty Members Among the Stranded
A family of three from Pune, traveling on a tourist visa, is also stranded. Baramati MP Supriya Sule has urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to assist them in returning. Abhishek Kalantri, part of the family, stated, "Our flight is scheduled for Monday. We are at our hotel and have been told that the airport is closed. We are waiting for further updates."
In a concerning development, four faculty members and 80 MBA students from Indira University in Pimpri Chinchwad are also stranded in Dubai. The students had traveled to the West Asian city for a study tour in two groups on February 22 and 24 as part of the university's annual program. They were scheduled to return in two batches on Saturday and Sunday.
Faculty member Rahul Pathak, who is with the students in the Bur Dubai area, reported that the situation around them is normal, and they are staying put in their hotel while waiting for the airspace to reopen. "We are sitting tight and hoping for a resolution soon," he said.
University and Government Efforts to Ensure Safety
Indira University president Tarita Shankar confirmed that the institute has approached the MEA seeking assistance. "We are in constant touch with the students, faculty members, and the Indian government. Since we organize the study tour to the same university in Dubai every year, we have made necessary arrangements for accommodation, food, and other essentials. The students are safe and can stay comfortably until the situation normalizes," she assured.
The MBA students were originally scheduled to travel to Mumbai on an IndiGo flight from Fujairah Airport, but those plans are now on hold.
Local Reports and Emergency Alerts
Govardhan Pakhare, a resident of Ahilyanagar in Pune who has been working in Jebel Ali with an investment firm for a year, shared that an emergency alert was issued late on Saturday night. This followed reports of a drone attack near Jebel Ali airport and the Burj Al Arab, located approximately 15 to 20 kilometers from his residence. "However, the situation looks under control now," he noted, providing some reassurance amid the chaos.
As the unrest in West Asia continues, Pune residents in Dubai remain hopeful for a swift reopening of airspace and a safe return to their homes. The collective anxiety and stress highlight the broader impact of regional conflicts on international travelers, with many relying on government and institutional support to navigate these challenging times.
