A total of 164 tourists from Maharashtra, stranded in the United Arab Emirates amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict, returned home in two special flights arranged by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, a Shiv Sena functionary said on Wednesday.The two aircraft, carrying 76 and 88 passengers respectively, landed in Mumbai on Tuesday night. Among those who returned were 84 students from Pune-based Indira School of Business Studies, along with residents of Thane, Ahilyanagar and Pune, the functionary said. The special flights were arranged by Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, the party leader added.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Shinde’s office said the two flights carrying stranded Maharashtra residents took off from Fujairah Airport in the UAE at 3.30pm and 4.30pm for Mumbai.“The Shiv Sena was successful in bringing back many residents from Maharashtra who were stranded in Dubai,” Shinde said in a post on X, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah for their leadership.
Meanwhile, Shinde assured that Abhinay Subhedar, son of Marathi actress Vishakha Subhedar, who is currently stranded at Kuwait airport due to the prevailing situation, will be brought back safely once flight services resume.Amid the war-like situation in Gulf countries, the Maharashtra government is in constant touch with stranded citizens. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Centre. He has directed Minister Girish Mahajan to oversee coordination efforts.In coordination with the Indian People’s Forum in Dubai, the state government has also issued a WhatsApp helpline number for those seeking assistance: +97150 365 4357.