Coronavirus: Indian expats seek special flights to Maharashtra from UAE

UAE - Hundreds of expats from the Indian state of Maharashtra, including pregnant women, ailing and elderly people, jobless and more are stuck in the UAE for want of repatriation flights. More than 80 flights were announced in the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission with many new destinations but none to any airports in Maharashtra.

The people are clueless about going back home while special flights are landing in Mumbai from Kuwait, the UK, the US, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kenya.

Two weeks ago, Mumbai native Shubhangi Saka, an Ajman-based homemaker and blogger, started a WhatsApp group with some stranded Maharashtrians. Today there are over 850 people in the group. "We have some 450 jobless people, 35 pregnant cases, medical emergencies and those stuck on visit visa. They have no means of survival," Shubhangi said.

"Community groups are helping them with basic amenities. We have contacted missions here, state government and other officials."

The concentrated efforts helped to repatriate an expectant mother in her final stages of pregnancy. "On May 27, she was flown out from Dubai to Kochi. Indian missions and Kerala government helped in this case. "

Suresh Gavali, who is on a mission visa, is stuck with his colleagues for more than a month. "Many of my colleagues from other states have left. Only people from Maharashtra are left here. I hope Indian government can find a way out. They have forgotten about us."

Abu Dhabi resident Santosh Bhabad sought repatriation of ailing parents Pandurang and Sarala who have ran out of stock of medicines. "They are on visit visa and stuck here for months. They have chronic illnesses. I took them to hospital but they want to return home," Bhabad said.