Thirty-seven pilgrims from Maharashtra who were stranded in Saga, Tibet, after completing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have safely departed for Kathmandu through the Nyalm Check Post route, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday.
The pilgrims, who are from Thane, Pune, Alibag, Raigad and Dombivli, had become stranded while returning from the pilgrimage amid the severe flood situation in Nepal.
Fadnavis seeks assistance for stranded pilgrims
The Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office said the pilgrims had to reach Kathmandu in time for their scheduled return flight at 2 pm on August 29.
After receiving information about their situation, Fadnavis contacted the Ministry of External Affairs and sought necessary assistance to facilitate their safe journey from Saga to Kathmandu.
The CMO also shared a list of all 37 pilgrims and said the group had safely begun its journey towards Kathmandu.
Earlier on Thursday evening, Fadnavis had spoken to stranded Maharashtra residents and assured them of all possible assistance for their safe return.
106 Nagpur passengers leave Kathmandu
The Maharashtra government also said that 106 passengers from Nagpur had safely departed Kathmandu for Danapur in Bihar.
Following a request from Fadnavis, Nepal MP Sandeep Rana arranged four local mini-buses to transport the passengers from Kathmandu to Janakpur. They were expected to reach the Janakpur-Bihar border on Friday morning.
Buses had also been arranged for their onward journey to Danapur, while their return journey from Danapur by train was organised.
Shinde says efforts on to trace stranded citizens
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said several Maharashtra residents, particularly from Satara, Mahabaleshwar and Pune, remained stranded in Nepal.
Shinde said continuous efforts were being made to establish contact with the stranded citizens and facilitate their return to Maharashtra. He added that the search for some residents was still underway.
The Deputy Chief Minister also interacted through a video call with Shiv Sena's Deputy District Chief Megha Chorge and her colleagues, who are stranded in Pokhara near Kathmandu. He enquired about their well-being and assured them of assistance.
Maharashtra, Centre coordinate rescue efforts
Shinde described the situation in Nepal as extremely tragic and said the Centre and Maharashtra government were coordinating efforts to assist stranded citizens.
He said the Central government, Maharashtra government, State Disaster Management Authority and Shiv Sena's disaster management team were working together.
The Shiv Sena has also activated its disaster management machinery. Yuva Sena's Rahul Kanal, along with other Shiv Sainiks, has travelled to Nepal to assist with relief and rescue efforts.
(With inputs from IANS)
* This article was originally published here
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