Govt presses special flights to bring those stranded abroad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 21

The government mounted special flights to some overseas destinations in a last-minute bid to evacuate stranded Indians before all international flights are suspended for a week on Sunday.

At the same time, unable to meet all evacuation requests, the government has asked Indians in several destinations to hunker down till March 31 by when the situation will be clear. Indian embassies have attempted to make boarding arrangements or ensure treatment at local medical facilities. Indian missions have requested all countries, especially in the Schengen zone which is under lockdown, to extend all visas of Indians that are about to expire.

The last flight from Tashkent landed here in the afternoon while another from France via Dubai is expected in the early hours. India has also despatched an aircraft to Rome to evacuate Indians. The flight will return to Delhi on Sunday morning.

In the UK, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, Indian students and visitors have been asked to stay put in the country and clear out of the airports as local authorities are planning action against crowds at the airports.

“We took up the matter with the authorities in India but due to heavy pressure on traffic, it has not been possible to accept requests for additional flights out of Almaty. Therefore, students waiting for flights at Almaty airport are advised to return to the hostels. We have asked all universities and educational contractors to continue running hostel facilities,’’ Indian Ambassador Prabhat Kumar has advised the stranded Indians.

However, there was no word on the availability of medical facilities which is a sore point for the thousands of pilgrims stranded in Iran as well.

These people are of a special category since not only has the virus spread widely in Iran, the country is under sanctions, making it tough for their relatives to send them money. Besides, there is a shortage of equipment like test kits while hotels are notifying foreigners to vacate.

In the UK, High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanshyam is trying to connect with more organisations and people to seek their support to help the stranded Indians. The High Commission has arranged for stay at two hotels — Heston Hyde Hotel and Hounslow Park Grand — while food at discounted rates is being provided by public spirited persons, such as Harender Jodha and Varinder Singh Khera.