One of the biggest evacuation exercises in history, the Vande Bharat Mission, will take place from May 7 to May 13, 2020, to bring back nearly 15,000 nationals stuck in 12 countries. A total of 64 flights will be sent to these countries and citizens with compelling reasons will be given priority. The compelling cases include laid off migrant workers, people with short term or expired visas, pregnant women, people with other medical emergencies, aged persons, etc.
How Will The Flights Operate?
Here’s the list of the total number of flights that will be sent to each of the 12 countries:
- UAE- 10 flights
- Qatar- 2 flights
- Saudi Arabia- 5 flights
- United Kingdom – 7 flights
- Singapore – 5 flights
- United States- 7 flights
- Philippines- 5 flights
- Bangladesh- 7 flights
- Bahrain – 2 flights
- Malaysia- 7 flights
- Kuwait- 5 flights
- Oman- 2 flights
So India ?? finally begins to fly back its Citizens home – approximately 2000 persons a day.
A sneak peek into the 7-day plan. Punjab has only one incoming flight from Dubai, UAE on the 7.https://t.co/OWGQNMiQ4k
— KBS Sidhu, IAS. (@kbssidhu1961) May 5, 2020
The two flights from Qatar will touch down at Kerala, as per reports. Also, 11 other flights from nine countries will be landing in Tamil Nadu. These special flights will be run by Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express. Passengers travelling from Dubai to India will have to pay ₹13,000, while those flying from London to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore or Ahmedabad need to shell out ₹50,000. Dhaka-Delhi flights will cost ₹12,000 and travellers from the US will need to pay ₹1 lakh.
What Else?
The passengers will have to undergo medical check-ups before and after their journey. Those having symptoms of the virus will not be allowed to travel. On approaching India, the travellers have to quarantine themselves for 14 days. Post that, they will have to take another COVID-19 test. Also, registration to the Aarogya Setu app is mandatory for all the passengers.
While these evacuation flights will be allowed to operate now, other commercial passenger flights are expected to start their services after the lockdown ends. The Indian Navy has also started Operation Samudra Setu to repatriate Indian residents from overseas.
Also Read: You Might Now Have To Pay As High As ₹10,000 For Air Travel Between Delhi To Mumbai
Do you have a closed one who has been far from the country since long? If yes, the time has come to celebrate his homecoming. So, start planning the surprises right away.