Around 960 Residents Stranded In Gulf, Maha Govt. Sets Up Emergency Helpline
The majority of those stranded are students and tourists who were caught off guard following sudden airspace closures and flight disruptions in the region: Reports
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday launched an emergency WhatsApp helpline for residents stuck in West Asia amid rising tensions following the recent US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran’s counterattacks. The initiative aims to assist thousands of people from the state stranded due to airspace closures.
Around 960 residents of Maharashtra stranded across Gulf and West Asian countries, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have approached the state government seeking evacuation amid escalating regional tensions, a senior official said on condition of anonymity. Congress MP from Jalna, Kalyan Kale, is among those stranded in Dubai.
The majority of those stranded are students and tourists who were caught off guard following sudden airspace closures and flight disruptions in the region, the official said, adding that efforts are underway to compile detailed information about Maharashtrian citizens currently abroad.
Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan has been appointed coordinator for the evacuation efforts. Mr. Mahajan told this newspaper that around 450 to 500 people are currently stranded, most of them in the UAE. “Once the situation de-escalates, they will be brought back to Maharashtra,” he said.
In a post on X, the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said the state government is in contact with citizens stranded in Gulf countries due to the emerging war-like situation in the region.
“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is personally in constant touch with various agencies and is coordinating regularly with the central government. He has directed Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan to oversee coordination efforts. The central government is also extending all possible support to the Maharashtra government,” the CMO said.
The CMO added that the state government, in coordination with the Indian People’s Forum in Dubai, has issued a WhatsApp helpline number to assist those in need. “Citizens requiring assistance are requested to contact the WhatsApp number +97150 365 4357,” it said.
Jagannath Kale, Congress leader and brother of Kalyan Kale, said the MP, who travelled to Dubai on Friday — a day before the joint US-Israel strike on Iran — is safe. “My brother had earlier planned to travel to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, but he curtailed his trip due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. He is expected to arrive in Mumbai on Thursday,” Jagannath Kale said.
Mr. Mahajan reiterated that evacuation efforts would commence once the situation in the Middle East stabilises. “I have spoken over the phone with several groups from Maharashtra who had travelled to Dubai. We will begin bringing them back once the situation becomes peaceful,” he said.