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Thirty-nine pregnant women were among the 363 people who returned to India from the United Arab Emirates on Thursday night through two Air India Express flights that formed the first stage of a massive repatriation program involving 12 countries and 15,000 passengers.
The vuelo Vande Bharat Mission ’first flight carrying 181 people from Abu Dhabi landed in Kochi around 10 p.m. Thursday. The second 182-passenger flight from Dubai landed at Kozhikkode approximately 20 minutes later.
As the passengers, many of them elderly, disabled, or children, disembarked from the flight, many were seen wiping away tears.
“I am delighted to be in my place. Thank God, I will do it with my parents for my first delivery. Really grateful to everyone, ”said a pregnant woman on the Kochi flight who refused to share her name.
Shah Jahan, who boarded the flight from Abu Dhabi, said he decided to return to India because he had lost his job. “I am happy to be part of the first evacuation flight,” he said.
The state government has established quarantine and isolation facilities near international airports, and has also fixed empty floors, houses, and houseboats to accommodate passengers.
But since the flight was carrying many vulnerable and elderly people, the authorities decided to quarantine them in their respective districts. Once they left the airport, they were taken to their respective native districts in buses and special vehicles. “We are following the government’s directive,” said the Ernakulam S Suhas collector.
Passengers began arriving at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Some of the passengers carried the Tricolor.
Indian Ambassador Pavan Kapoor was seen asking about the procedure by some of the passengers undergoing a medical examination at Abu Dhabi airport.
“Congratulations to all the passengers for patiently waiting their turn for the medical examination and many thanks to all the frontline health workers and airport staff for giving their full support,” the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi tweeted. “Vanda Bharat Mission, the world’s largest repatriation exercise begins today. More than 350 Indians from the UAE will fly back. Thank you all,” said Kapoor.
“They all passed the tests,” said the Indian Consul General in Dubai, Vipul, according to the Gulf News. He said the passenger selection criteria included medical cases, job losses, pregnant women and seniors. Those with complications and financial problems were also chosen.
In the first week of the massive operation, 64 flights will bring home 15,000 Indian citizens from 12 countries. All those traveling back will have to pay for their tickets, undergo strict evaluation processes, download the Aarogya Setu application and enter institutional quarantine after landing.
The first phase runs from May 7 to 13 and involves the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. All international passengers will be charged for the journey and fares from the Gulf countries to Kerala range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,000. Rescue flights from London will cost Rs 50,000 while flights from the United States are priced at Rs 1,00,000.
At least 300,000 people have people registered to return to West Asia alone, but authorities focus only on “compelling cases.”
A set of standard operating procedures of the Union Home Office said priority will be given to “asymptomatic” migrant workers / workers abroad who have been fired, holders of short-term expired (visa) people, with medical emergencies, pregnant women, the elderly, students and those who must return to India due to the death of a family member.
(with contributions from the agency)
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