Mumbai: The first batch of 65 Maharashtra tourists stuck in Kashmir arrived in Mumbai early on Thursday after the dreadful terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The state government has arranged three special flights on Thursday to bring back around 450 tourists from the terror-stuck Kashmir.
After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran killed 26 people, including six from Maharashtra, tourists who went to spend their holidays in the Kashmir Valley are worried about their safety. A significant proportion of these tourists are from Maharashtra, which is the biggest market for Kashmir’s tourism, in number of tourists as well as their spending capacity.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra government is trying to bring maximum people back from Kashmir by arranging special flights from Srinagar to Mumbai. On Wednesday, minister of state Murlidhar Mohol announced two special flights from Srinagar to Mumbai, after discussions with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, to evacuate 183 passengers.
Simultaneously, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde had reached Srinagar to assist and provide moral support to Maharashtra tourist. He had also arranged a special flight early morning on Thursday after which 65 tourists landed in Mumbai at 3.30am.
The flights announced by the ministry of civil aviation will also reach Mumbai later in the day. Indigo flight 6E3251 carrying 231 passengers is expected to reach Mumbai Airport’s Terminal-1 at 5.45pm. Meanwhile, the Air India flight AI1662 carrying 162 passengers is estimated to arrive Mumbai Airport’s Terminal-2 at 6.40 pm.
“Dy Cm Shinde visited Maharashtra tourists at their hotels and talked to many of them. He reassured them and sent them back to Mumbai. The tourists also expressed gratitude towards him with a feeling that their dear brother is with them during these tough times. More tourists will reach Mumbai later in the day,” said a close aid of Shinde, who is accompanying him in Kashmir.
