Maha to facilitate safe return of 1,593 tourists from Jammu and Kashmir
Pune: As many as 1,593 tourists from Maharashtra, currently in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, are being assisted by the state disaster management department for their safe and early return, officials told TOI on Thursday and added that this was necessitated after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed at least 26 lives.
Pune district tops the chart with 659 travellers, followed by Nashik and Nagpur with 198 each, and Thane with 156. Special flights have been arranged, with an IndiGo aircraft carrying 83 passengers from Srinagar touched down in Mumbai on Thursday evening. An Air India flight with 100 flyers on board is expected to land late in the night.
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R Vimala, resident commissioner of Maharashtra in New Delhi, said about 500 tourists had contacted the state helpline seeking assistance. "We are arranging flights based on demand and systematically listing names."
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Ministers had already arranged flights, and the coordination was running smoothly, Vimala said. "State govt will ensure that all passengers are brought home safely."
Those who opted to return through private operators or on previously booked tickets have been encouraged to inform authorities of their plans.
Officials from Pune district administration and district disaster management authority said they would facilitate 274 visitor's return — by air, train or private vehicles — between April 24 and 29.
Tour operators are also helping travellers who plan to take the pre-booked flights for return journey. "We are making arrangements for them. While the panic situation eased, tourists who chose to stay are being asked to remain in their hotel rooms for safety purposes," said Rajan Parekh, state secretary of the State Tourist Association.
Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, who is minister of state for civil aviation, announced on Thursday that an IndiGo flight carrying 232 passengers would arrive in Mumbai on Friday afternoon.
"There are many passengers who travelled to Kashmir by train and were affected by cancellations. We are still receiving calls from people and are working to bring everyone back," Mohol said, adding arrangements are being made in coordination with state govt.
MSRTC officials in Mumbai confirmed that buses had been arranged to transport tourists to their respective cities once they arrived in Mumbai on Thursday.
The Pune rail division has reported disruptions in passenger traffic because of the Pahalgam attack. "On April 22, 358 people cancelled their tickets for the Pune-Jammu Jhelum Express, while 725 cancellations were recorded on the next day," a division official said.
Travel industry leaders said that Jammu and Kashmir has always been a popular destination for tourists from Pune, Mumbai, Nashik and Nagpur.
Santosh Gupta, owner of Pune-based Shree Vinayak Holidays, said the real travel season would begin in May. "Punekars prefer easy travel, and Kashmir offers great connectivity, good food, and a cooler climate."
Pune: As many as 1,593 tourists from Maharashtra, currently in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, are being assisted by the state disaster management department for their safe and early return, officials told TOI on Thursday and added that this was necessitated after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed at least 26 lives.
Pune district tops the chart with 659 travellers, followed by Nashik and Nagpur with 198 each, and Thane with 156. Special flights have been arranged, with an IndiGo aircraft carrying 83 passengers from Srinagar touched down in Mumbai on Thursday evening. An Air India flight with 100 flyers on board is expected to land late in the night.
R Vimala, resident commissioner of Maharashtra in New Delhi, said about 500 tourists had contacted the state helpline seeking assistance. "We are arranging flights based on demand and systematically listing names."
Ministers had already arranged flights, and the coordination was running smoothly, Vimala said. "State govt will ensure that all passengers are brought home safely."
Those who opted to return through private operators or on previously booked tickets have been encouraged to inform authorities of their plans.
Officials from Pune district administration and district disaster management authority said they would facilitate 274 visitor's return — by air, train or private vehicles — between April 24 and 29.
Tour operators are also helping travellers who plan to take the pre-booked flights for return journey. "We are making arrangements for them. While the panic situation eased, tourists who chose to stay are being asked to remain in their hotel rooms for safety purposes," said Rajan Parekh, state secretary of the State Tourist Association.
Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, who is minister of state for civil aviation, announced on Thursday that an IndiGo flight carrying 232 passengers would arrive in Mumbai on Friday afternoon.
"There are many passengers who travelled to Kashmir by train and were affected by cancellations. We are still receiving calls from people and are working to bring everyone back," Mohol said, adding arrangements are being made in coordination with state govt.
MSRTC officials in Mumbai confirmed that buses had been arranged to transport tourists to their respective cities once they arrived in Mumbai on Thursday.
The Pune rail division has reported disruptions in passenger traffic because of the Pahalgam attack. "On April 22, 358 people cancelled their tickets for the Pune-Jammu Jhelum Express, while 725 cancellations were recorded on the next day," a division official said.
Travel industry leaders said that Jammu and Kashmir has always been a popular destination for tourists from Pune, Mumbai, Nashik and Nagpur.
Santosh Gupta, owner of Pune-based Shree Vinayak Holidays, said the real travel season would begin in May. "Punekars prefer easy travel, and Kashmir offers great connectivity, good food, and a cooler climate."
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