The government of India has added 141 more flights to West Asian countries for the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission, its massive repatriation programme for citizens stranded overseas because of Covid-19-related travel restrictions.
The second phase was to end on May 22. However, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the ongoing phase will last till June 13 and that India is looking at making Frankfurt a hub for the mission.
With these new flights, more than half of them to the United Arab Emirates, the total number of flights in the second phase of the programme have gone up to more than 400, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.
The flights were added due to increased demand from citizens stranded in West Asian countries and the availability of adequate quarantine facilities in states for the returning Indians, the people said. As with all the flights operated so far under Vande Bharat Mission, priority will be given in the second phase to Indian nationals with compelling reasons for returning to the country, they added.
The additional flights are from the UAE (81 flights), Oman and Saudi Arabia (15 flights each), Kuwait (14 flights), Qatar (11 flights) and Bahrain (five flights).
A majority of the flights are bound for Kerala (84 flights), while the other destinations are Delhi (10 flights), Tamil Nadu (nine flights), Telangana (six flights) Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir (five flights each), Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (four flights each), Punjab (three flights), Odisha and West Bengal (two flights each), Chandigarh, Karnataka and Goa (one flight each).
The other 260-odd flights being operated during the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission are from Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tajikistan, the UK, Ukraine and the US.
The second phase of the repatriation programme began on May 16 and will continue till June 13, with all the flights being operated by state-run Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express. Private airlines are likely to be included in the third phase.
As of Thursday, a total of 23,475 Indians have been repatriated under Vande Bharat Mission. The second phase had included new destinations such as Istanbul, Ho Chi Minh City and Lagos, and had increased flights to the US and Europe.
More than 259,000 Indians in 98 countries across the world have registered to return under Vande Bharat Mission. Most of them are workers (28%), students (25%), professionals (14.5%), and short-term visa holders such as tourists (7.6%). Fishermen, deportees and Indian nationals who benefited from visa amnesties have also registered.
Comments
Bajrang Dal still exist in Mangalore because majority of followers are monkeys. They just goes with stupid and illiterate people without questioning their background. Most of Bajrang Dal leader either ex-ladies bar owner or conductors.(uneducated or criminals).
Monkey Dal gathered together to discuss their own created issues. They have nothing to discuss other than children's plays.
It's funny how these activists say a lie so many times and make it appear like the truth..I'm ashamed to call them hindus..because I have amazing Hindu friends (whom I believe are true hindus). Love jihad? What rubbish!this shows how much you cook up stories. Dont waste money on unnecessary programmes. Donate it to poors..so many are in need of money. Btw don't think muslim men are jobless. there are enough pious muslim girls in our country whom they can get married to. We are not in shortage.
Also need a discussion regarding hiring muslims in all job sectors across karnataka
Tigale gant marilu....bhoomig bhara
Mangalore was peaceful for quite sometime.....now again goons became jobless I hope.... smart city ... developments all gaya bhaad me...
Gaaf me dhum hai to try to stop your girls or punish them...your.people will throw you in garbage.....try that way.....
Discuss right now LOVE JIHAD founder is sitting in front of you (CHOTE MIA)I dont remember his name sitting on your extreme left. Why to spend Money start now itself.
Fake People.
I could not understand why these waste and burden to earth... hate mongers are talking on love jihad time and again whereas such issue does not exist in reality, but exists only in the mind and agenda of sangh parivar. This is to fool people and gain political benefit. Love Jihad is not a concept in any religion, particularly in Muslims and this is a fake + man made concept by sangh parivar. We, the peace loving people of karnataka should oppose and raise against these hate mongers.
After a long period of rest, culprits are back to trouble. Peace loving Mangalorean be careful and be happy with your family.
Indians in india cant eat beef but indian beef can be eaten in other parts of the world....what a joke....
Bajrangies go and stop exporting if you have got ba**s....
Jihad means a spiritual struggle within oneself against Sin.
Prophet Muhammad pbuh. taught us...
Alcohol destroys U and your family life
Gambling destroys U and your family life
Interest destroys U and your family (It may give a temporary enjoyment of the money lend to U by banks but in long term when U see most of the people have become BANKRUPT...
(Look Mallya - Whatever he owns did not benefit him...one day U will c the real color).
Quran says Trade is acceptable but not Riba (Interest).
True Muslims strive hard NOT TO involve in such evils of the society & They strive to stay away from these sins and also other such things in life...
God promises to give more when we follow his commandments ... it is not just for muslims but it should be recognized by the whole of mankind..
Most of the People are just listening to the ISLAM-HATERS and judging without verifying. But the CREATOR of all that exists asks us to use our INTELLECT and Verify before You come to any conclusion of any matter in your LIFE... if not YOU will be regretting later...
Love Jihad is fake and a creation of cheddi and its allies..who wants to spread corruption in the society.
Wonderful decision by wonderful lads of Bajji and Ranjjis, what you mean of \Cow Trafficking\" at present I am in HONG KONG really fantastic INDIAN BEEF Avails here, no problem at all, so these wonderful Tidy Bear??? Master Hamarappa Puranik only Barking, If he IS having GuTs, Strength let him ask Indian Prime minister Modianna, to Cancel Exporting Licence that is the Gentleman's work Keeping some Chelas around catching Labour, Driver, Butcher, Cleaner like humans.. they are catching and punishing that's women's work Annanna, come front line and catch real culprits.
NAREAN Bai where are you Sir?? Are you Near by !!!!! Keep it up Baisabb."
1) U have forgotten most important issue..... ban exporting of beef and find out how many of your goons are into this business....
2) At the right age with out if girls are married off, issues of love marriage maybe solved
3) drugs ok.....go ahead, nice step
For such matters press meet is not necessary, can be discussed within yourself
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