Indians stranded abroad due to conflict in West Asia living in fear, waiting for airlines to resume operations

Pune: Unabated tensions in West Asia on Monday prompted a number of Indian nationals stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and other countries to anxiously await the resumption of flight operations. Many said they are living in continual fear as the conflict shows no signs of halting just yet. Flight operations partially resumed on Monday. However, concerns remain as repeated drone attacks have raised fears of another airspace closure.
Shikha Sindhu, dean of the Indira University in Pimpri Chinchwad, on Monday told TOI that all 80 students and four faculty members of theirs, who have been stuck in Bur Dubai, will arrive at Mumbai airport around 10.30pm and then reach Pune by road. But not everyone is that fortunate. Bibwewadi resident and working professional Kiran Oswal, who was visiting Dubai with his family, said he has been continuously booking tickets to India, only for them to be cancelled by the airline. "We came to Dubai on Feb 25 and had to return on March 2. The flight got cancelled and now we are just stuck here not knowing what to do. I am here with my wife and two children. The kids are beginning to lose patience and getting sick, too. I sent a message on social media to minister of state (MoS) for civil aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, pleading for help, but got no response," Oswal said.Oswal added that they are being charged for their hotel stay and while the city is quiet, there is a sense of anxiety. When he was told SpiceJet had announced operations of special flights from Fujairah, around 120km away from Dubai, Oswal lit up and immediately bought tickets. "I have booked them for March 4 and I hope we are able to get back home," he said.NIBM Road resident Vinod Solanki and his family are also playing the waiting game in Dubai. "Some airlines have started operations, but they are helping out transit passengers leave UAE first. Moreover, there are standing orders from authorities not to reach the airport until they call you. We were to return on Saturday last week and until now, I have made my travel agent book tickets for five of us three times. They have been cancelled each time by airlines. My mother, who is with us, is a senior citizen. We are worried," he said."Until Monday afternoon, some explosions could be heard, but it is quiet at present. Now, our agent has booked Air India tickets for us on March 4. We are keeping our fingers crossed. The holiday started well but has become a frustrating and anxious wait to get home," the businessman confessed.Besides Indian professionals and tourists awaiting clarity on flight schedules, those currently stranded also include pilgrims, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. Indians who have been living in the region for a while now are also unable to shake off a feeling of unease. Ramesh Bontawar, who has been working in Doha, Qatar, for the past year and lives there with his family, said the situation is tense. "I heard loud sounds of missiles being intercepted by Qatar's air defence system on Monday night," he said. Bontawar added that his company has directed employees to work from home until further notice. Despite booking tickets to return to India on March 30, he remains uncertain about whether the situation will stabilise even by then. Another Pune resident, who has been living in Dubai for four years, has cancelled plans of an elaborate holiday in his homeland. The middle-aged professional chose anonymity and said, "I live in the Al Nahda area and my workplace is in the Al Quoz industrial area. I was to go home on March 2, but now am not getting any answers or resolution from anyone. I contacted the HR of my company and they have advised me to get my annual leave cancelled. If I do that, I could get leaves only in Sept again. All plans to visit different places in India have gone for a toss. I am facing huge losses of more than Rs1 lakh as I had booked flights and hotel stays in India for my tour."Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !