Vande Bharat Mission: 6037 Indians Returned Home, Plan To Bring Back 14,800.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said, under the ‘ Vande Bharat ‘ mission, Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express have so far managed to repatriate 6037 Indians through 31 flights under the first phase which started from 7th May 2020.
Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express are running 64 flights in 12 countries under the ‘ Vande Bharat ‘ mission. Out of these, 42 flights are being operated by Air India and 24 flights are being operated by Air India Express. These 12 countries include the US, London, Bangladesh, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Philippines, UAE and Malaysia as well. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, 14,800 Indians stranded abroad will be brought back under the very first phase.
The community leaders have whole heartedly welcomed and acknowledged the government of India’s move. The government announced that special flights will be assisted for the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad, which will commence in a phased manner from May 7 and may operate flights by 13 May 2020.
Number of flights to increase in coming weeks
The number of flights can be increased in the coming weeks in view of the large number of Indian students and people stranded in the US due to travel restrictions imposed due to the Coronavirus epidemic. The Indian Embassy and Consulate General in the US had recently started making a list of Indians planning to return home. This phase is being made through online registration.
