Speaking in the Legislative Council on 4 March, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state expects all Maharashtrian citizens stranded in conflict-hit West Asia to be home “within the next two to three days.” The administration has published a dedicated WhatsApp helpline and is liaising with Marathi cultural associations in Dubai, Kuwait and Doha to compile passenger lists.(thenewsmill.com)
According to Fadnavis, the Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating charter slots for Air India flights, while the state’s Relief & Rehabilitation Department has set up kiosks at Mumbai and Nagpur airports to provide counselling, SIM cards and onward-travel support. Students and tourists have been prioritised for the first wave of seats, mirroring protocols used during the pandemic-era Vande Bharat mission.
Travelers who find themselves needing last-minute visa extensions, emergency transit papers or replacement documents can turn to VisaHQ, an online visa facilitation service that handles applications and embassy interactions worldwide. The company’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers clear checklists, courier options and real-time tracking—resources that can prove invaluable for evacuees and their families as they arrange onward journeys or future redeployment plans.
![Maharashtra Sets Up Helpline as State Awaits Return of Citizens Trapped in West Asia]()
The Chief Minister noted that visa hurdles in Kuwait briefly delayed some workers, but embassy intervention allowed group movement to Dubai for eventual uplift. Mobility managers with staff from Maharashtra should ensure employees register on the “MEA stranded Indians” portal so that state rosters match central manifests, reducing the risk of duplication or missed evacuations.
Companies are also being asked to file details of any expatriate dependants who may be travelling with Indian employees under family visas; those passengers require separate clearances under Gulf exit-permit systems. HR teams should keep scanned copies of dependants’ passports and residence IDs ready for upload.
While the announcement focuses on Maharashtrian returnees, other states—including Kerala and Uttar Pradesh—are expected to issue similar advisories as evacuation flights ramp up. Employers with pan-India workforces should monitor multiple state portals for overlapping requirements.
According to Fadnavis, the Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating charter slots for Air India flights, while the state’s Relief & Rehabilitation Department has set up kiosks at Mumbai and Nagpur airports to provide counselling, SIM cards and onward-travel support. Students and tourists have been prioritised for the first wave of seats, mirroring protocols used during the pandemic-era Vande Bharat mission.
Travelers who find themselves needing last-minute visa extensions, emergency transit papers or replacement documents can turn to VisaHQ, an online visa facilitation service that handles applications and embassy interactions worldwide. The company’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers clear checklists, courier options and real-time tracking—resources that can prove invaluable for evacuees and their families as they arrange onward journeys or future redeployment plans.
The Chief Minister noted that visa hurdles in Kuwait briefly delayed some workers, but embassy intervention allowed group movement to Dubai for eventual uplift. Mobility managers with staff from Maharashtra should ensure employees register on the “MEA stranded Indians” portal so that state rosters match central manifests, reducing the risk of duplication or missed evacuations.
Companies are also being asked to file details of any expatriate dependants who may be travelling with Indian employees under family visas; those passengers require separate clearances under Gulf exit-permit systems. HR teams should keep scanned copies of dependants’ passports and residence IDs ready for upload.
While the announcement focuses on Maharashtrian returnees, other states—including Kerala and Uttar Pradesh—are expected to issue similar advisories as evacuation flights ramp up. Employers with pan-India workforces should monitor multiple state portals for overlapping requirements.
