New Delhi, May 2 (IANS). More than 2,922 Indian seafarers have been brought back safely so far, including 30 from different places in the Gulf region in the last 24 hours, the government said in an official statement on Saturday.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is continuously working with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions and other stakeholders in the maritime sector to ensure the safety of seafarers and smooth functioning of maritime activities.
“All Indian seafarers in the area are safe and no incidents involving any Indian flagged ship have been reported in the last 24 hours. The DG Shipping Control Room has handled over 8,335 calls and 17,838 emails so far. 67 calls and 144 emails were received in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said.
The statement further said that operations at ports across the country are going on normally and there is no congestion anywhere.
The Ministry of External Affairs is also monitoring the situation in the Gulf and West Asia region and is making efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Indians living there.
The government said that new advisories are being issued from time to time, which provide information about local rules, travel and flight information, consular services and other facilities. The Indian Embassy is in constant touch with the Indians and organizations living there and is solving their problems.
The flight situation is gradually improving and additional flights are also being operated from the Gulf region to India. Limited commercial flights are operating in the UAE on safety and operational grounds. Regular flights to India are also continuing from Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The government said that Iraq’s airspace is open with limited flights, allowing people to come to India. Iran’s airspace is partially open, with cargo and chartered flights operating.
Indian citizens have been advised to avoid traveling to Iran and those who are there have been asked to return via land routes with the help of the Indian Embassy.
So far, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has safely evacuated 2,490 Indian citizens from Iran through land routes.
–IANS
DBP
