Mumbai, 3 March, 2022

The third flight to Mumbai carrying 183 Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine landed in Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport early this morning (Thursday, March 2,2022). Air India Express flight IX 1202 Flight, operated as part of Operation Ganga had departed from the Romanian capital Bucharest late Wednesday night.

 

Union Minister of State for Railways, Coal and Mines Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve received the home-bound Indians and interacted with them upon arrival. Many relatives of the passengers were also present at the airport.

Interacting with the media, the Minister informed that under ‘Operation Ganga’, the Government is taking all-out efforts to bring back all Indian citizens stranded in the war-hit country. Around 17,000 Indians, mainly students, were stranded in Ukraine and around 4,000 - 5,000 fellow citizens have already been brought back, he said. He further informed that this operation will continue to bring back whosoever is left. 

The Minister informed that Indian Railways has set up Help Desks at T2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai to facilitate onward travel of passengers to their hometowns. State-wise help desks are set up at Mumbai International Airport assisting incoming Indian citizens to help them reach their homes in the most hassle-free manner.

Shri Danve instructed railway officials to facilitate their smooth transit to their hometowns. An Indian student who has just been brought home recounted her escape from the war zone, gratefully acknowledging the support extended by Indian Embassy in Ukraine as well as civil society organizations.

Flights under Operation Ganga have recently been increased. The MEA Control Room, as well as the Control Centres operated by Indian Embassies in Ukraine, Poland, Romania Hungary and Slovak Republic, continue to operate on 24x7 basis.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yesterday spoken with the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in the city of Kharkiv where many Indian students are stuck. They discussed the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas.

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PIB MUMBAI | DJM / Sonal/ Radhika

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