Mumbai, March 3 (NationPress) In light of the rising tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, took decisive action on Tuesday by arranging two special aircraft to aid citizens stranded in the UAE.

The closure of air routes in the Middle East left many Indians, particularly Maharashtrians, unable to return from Dubai and nearby areas, necessitating prompt governmental action.

Thanks to the personal coordination by Deputy CM Shinde, two special Star Air flights are set to depart from Fujairah Airport on Tuesday: Flight VTGSO is scheduled for 3:30 PM and Flight VTGSH for 4:30 PM, according to a release from the Deputy CM’s office.

These flights are expected to bring back a total of 164 passengers to Mumbai Airport between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM on the same day.

The returning group includes 84 students from Pune's Indira School of Business Studies and residents from Thane, Murbad, Ahilyanagar, and various other regions within the state, as mentioned in the release.

Just two days prior, Deputy CM Shinde reached out personally to the stranded individuals, reassuring them of their safety: "You are all safe; do not worry. The Maharashtra Government and I personally stand firmly behind you. We will make every possible effort to bring you back home safely," he had assured.

Through ongoing communication with international and aviation authorities, the Deputy CM guaranteed a safe return for these 164 passengers to India.

In a related update, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar reiterated the state government's commitment to ensuring the safety and return of all stranded citizens.

In her post on X, Dy CM Pawar stated, "Given the tense situation, ensuring the safety of Maharashtra citizens stranded there is a top priority for the state government. We are in continuous contact with all citizens through the relevant agencies and are working diligently to provide them with necessary assistance and guidance."

She further added, "In collaboration with the Dubai-based Indian People's Forum, the Maharashtra government has established a special WhatsApp helpline for support and coordination. Those needing urgent assistance or information should reach out via WhatsApp Helpline: +97150 365 4357."

Previously, the Chief Minister’s Office had reported that they are in touch with various stranded citizens due to the escalating conflict in West Asia.

The intervention from the CMO follows heightened tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, which have adversely affected Gulf nations, leaving numerous Indian citizens stranded in Dubai and other locations.

“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is consistently in contact with various agencies and is also maintaining close communication with the central government. He has tasked state minister Girish Mahajan with overseeing these coordination efforts.

"The central government is also providing extensive assistance to the Maharashtra government. In collaboration with the Indian People's Forum in Dubai, the Maharashtra government has shared a WhatsApp number for those in need: +97150 365 4357," stated the CMO.