Stranded Indian nationals return home under biggest repatriation operation

India's mega repatriation plan to bring back thousands of its stranded nationals from abroad has started with the first flight that landed in Kerala at night.

Let's take a look:

The first flight from Abu Dhabi landed in Kochi around 10 pm as part of the government’s Vande Bharat mission to bring back its citizens stranded abroad.

While, the second flight from Dubai touched down in Kozhikode just after 10.30 pm. 

 

The flights are part of India’s biggest-ever repatriation exercise to bring back its citizens stranded abroad amidst the international travel lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic.

Two Air India repatriation flight carrying a total of 363 Indian nationals from the United Arab Emirates landed in Kochi and Kozhikode Thursday.

Nearly 15,000 Indians stranded overseas are expected to return on special Air India flights from 12 countries over a week.

The Indian mission in the UAE alone has received 197,000 applications to be repatriated so far.

The government will operate 64 flights until May 13 and use three Navy ships, as part of Phase I of an evacuation plan, named ''Vande Bharat Mission.''

Out of the 64 flights, 15 would be to Kerala, 11 each to Delhi and Tamil Nadu, seven each to Maharashtra and Telangana, and the rest to Gujarat, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.