Fifth Phase of Vande Bharat Mission Starts Today

The fifth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission begins on Saturday to rescue Indians stranded abroad. This phase will continue till 31st August 2020.

The Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri said that under various phases of Vande Bharat Mission, more than 8 lakh 45 thousand Indians have been repatriated. He said up to 1200 flights are likely to be added in Phase 5 of Vande Bharat Mission. In total, Air India and Air India Express have airlifted 2 lakh 67 thousand 436 stranded passengers, and other charters have brought home 4 lakh 86 thousand 811 stranded passengers between May 6-May 30.

The Ministry of External Affairs has said that a total of 792 flights (692 international and 100 domestic feeders) have been scheduled to repatriate Indians from 23 countries in Phase 5 of the Vande Bharat Mission. These include Gulf countries, US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Israel, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. 

The flights will cater to 21 different airports across India and repatriate an estimated 1 lakh 30 thousand Indians stranded abroad.