Maharashtra Government Mobilizes to Bring Back Stranded Citizens from Middle East Amid Conflict
In response to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, which have led to widespread flight cancellations, the Maharashtra government has initiated a comprehensive effort to repatriate its citizens stranded in the Middle East. Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan announced on Tuesday that the state is coordinating with central authorities to facilitate the safe return of approximately 438 individuals from various districts.
Breakdown of Stranded Citizens and Initial Repatriations
The stranded individuals include 115 from Kolhapur, 98 from Mumbai, and 75 from Pune, among others. Minister Mahajan, who is overseeing the coordination efforts, noted that the number is increasing as more families contact the state helpline. "We are coordinating with the officials of the respective countries through the central government," Mahajan stated, emphasizing the collaborative approach.
Initial successes have been seen, with a batch of 23 tourists from Kolhapur district already returned from Dubai, and another group of 80 expected to arrive on Thursday. Additionally, two wrestlers, Reshma Mane and Apeksha Patil, who were part of an Indian contingent visiting Albania for the World Ranking Series, are set to return to Delhi on Thursday after securing flights via Turkish Airlines from Istanbul.
Regional Details and Challenges Faced by Stranded Individuals
Further breakdown reveals that 221 people from Nashik district, primarily from Malegaon, are stranded in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia, many on religious pilgrimages. In Kolhapur, the district administration identified 208 residents in Gulf countries, with 150 being tourists and 35 long-term workers who are hesitant to return due to stable conditions at their workplaces.
Prasad Sankpal, head of disaster management in Kolhapur, explained, "They don't want to return unless there is a serious threat, which is not yet the case. We remain in touch with them and their relatives for emergency communication." One tourist from Hupari described a harrowing experience, witnessing smoke from an intercepted drone near a building, though normalcy largely prevailed.
Government Optimism and Ongoing Efforts
Minister Mahajan expressed hope that the situation will improve soon, allowing more flights to operate and expediting repatriations. "We are hopeful that the situation will change in the next couple of days, and more planes will start flying," he said. Officials from Nashik noted that most stranded individuals are tourists, with some students and workers, and their requests have been forwarded to appropriate authorities.
Similarly, districts like Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar reported 35 and 31 stranded citizens, respectively, in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, all seeking assistance for exit from the region. The state government continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring all possible measures are taken to safeguard its citizens abroad during this international crisis.
