Thiruvananthapuram, 20 March (H.S.):Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged the Central government to intervene urgently and ensure adequate flight services for expatriates stranded in Gulf countries amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister highlighted the growing distress among the expatriate community, particularly from Kerala, who are facing uncertainty due to the prevailing geopolitical situation. He called on the Centre to arrange additional flights and streamline travel facilities to ease the burden on passengers during this critical period.

Vijayan noted that the situation has caused significant mental stress and confusion among expatriates. Traditionally, the Eid season is a time when many Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) return home to celebrate with their families. However, this year, many have been forced to cancel or postpone their travel plans due to the lack of sufficient flight services.

He pointed out that the limited number of available flights has led to heavy demand, resulting in overcrowding and steep ticket prices that are beyond the reach of ordinary passengers. Additionally, many expatriates are worried about their return journey to their workplaces, adding to their anxiety.

The Chief Minister emphasized that immediate steps must be taken to restore confidence among expatriates and ensure they can travel safely and affordably during the festive season. He urged the authorities concerned to act swiftly and address the challenges faced by the diaspora.

Concluding his message, Vijayan extended Eid greetings to expatriates and their families, expressing hope that necessary measures would be implemented without delay to support them during this difficult time.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman