Mission Vande Bharat: Aaditya Thackeray requests addition of more sectors

Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena MLA, recently took to Twitter, to thank the Government of India for conducting “Mission Vande Bharat” which consisted of the repatriation for Indians stranded abroad during the coronavirus crisis.

My letter to Minister for Civil Aviation today. We need to have more sectors added for repatriation and minor details that need to be looked into by the ministry to assist people stuck abroad. pic.twitter.com/ABxKHbD3c6

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) June 29, 2020

In writing to civil aviation, Thackeray states that there are several points where he would appreciate some key assistance. He stated that the repatriation flights must be coordinated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation/Air India with the state governments for effective reach to several sectors around the world. The Shiv Sena MLA further said he had requested flights from the Middle East, Australia and Russia. Although some flights were organized, there needs to be many more for the same.

All the 21 flights of VBM-4 from 7 cities of only six countries happen to be hopping flights. This would mean that not many passengers would be able to come to Maharashtra, Thackeray added. He concluded by saying that the government of Maharashtra is extremely proud of the Centre having conducted such massive repatriation, however, he requested the Centre to look into these matters for better and effective handling of the situation.

Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament Baramati, Maharashtra, in response to the tweet by Aaditya Thackeray, thanked him, stating that she is hopeful in bringing about the people of our country home who are stranded in foreign locations.

Thank u so much .....let’s hope we can bring all our people home soon 🤞🏼

— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) June 29, 2020

According to reports, the third phase of Vande Bharat Mission which had begun earlier this month has broadened the scope of the mission, allowing more countries, thereby increasing the number of entry points.

India has added 58 more flights to evacuate stranded and distressed nationals from Gulf countries, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said on June 10. He informed that the number of flights from Gulf under phase-3 of the 'Vande Bharat Mission' had been increased from originally planned 107 to 165.