32k to return in Phase 2 of Vande Bharat

NEW DELHI: The second phase of India’s massive programme to repatriate citizens stranded abroad because of the Covid-19 pandemic will bring home about 32,000 people, more than double the figure for the first phase, people familiar with developments said on Thursday.

State-run Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express will operate 149 flights to 31 countries, including the US, Australia and France, during the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission beginning on May 16. The first phase, which mostly focused on West Asian countries, has 64 flights.

“There will be more flights and more destinations in the second phase. We are looking to bring back about 32,000 people,” said one of the people cited above.

About 15,000 citizens are expected to be repatriated from 12 countries during the first phase of Vande Bharat Mission, which will end on May 15, and 56 flights have already been brought back more than 12,000 Indian nationals.

An additional 904 Indians were repatriated from the Maldives by two Indian Navy warships on May 10 and 12, and some more nationals arrived in the country on deportation flights from various countries.

The people said requests from OCI card holders can be considered after the government meets the minimum expectations of its Indian nationals seeking to return home. So far, 188,646 Indian nationals have registered with the external affairs ministry to return, and priority will be given to those with compelling reasons for repatriation.