New Delhi (NVI): 149 flights will be operated to bring back Indians from 31 countries under the second phase of Government’s Vande Bharat mission from May 16-22, the Ministry of External Affairs said today.
The 149 flights will also include feeder flights, MEA spokesperson said, adding that an additional 18 countries have been covered under the second phase including Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Japan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Georgia, Tajikistan and Armenia.
State-run carrier Air India has started bookings for these flights from today.
“As you can see, we are broadening the ambit every week in a phased manner keeping with our quarantine capacity, health protocols, etc. Till now 188,646 Indian nationals have registered to return on the portal,” the MEA spokesperson said.
The entire flight list can be checked on the website of Vande Bharat Mission.
Vande Bharat Mission, which was launched on May 7, reached its eighth day and 56 flights have been operated to bring back Indian nationals from 12 countries.
In addition to this, 904 Indians have been repatriated from Maldives by Indian Navy ships INS Jalashwa and INS Magar on 10th May and 12th May respectively, under ‘Mission Sagar’. Some others have arrived through deportation flights from various countries. In the last few days, more than 12000 Indian nationals have safely returned, the MEA spokesperson said.
Giving further details for Mission Sagar, the MEA spokesperson said that the Government has sent Indian naval ships Kesari to Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.
“This ship has been sent in response to the request for assistance from these countries. It carries on board two medical assistance teams, consignment of Covid related essential medicines and essential food items. This is inspired by PM’s vision of Sagar – security and growth for all in the region. This is also in keeping with India’s role as a first responder in the region,” he said.
As of date, INS Kesari which departed India on 10th May is presently docked at Male. Currently, the 550 tonnes of essential food items sent on board area being offloaded, he added.
