The government of India, under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’, is undertaking the largest ever evacuation of stranded Indian nationals across the world back to the country, says the High Commission of India in Colombo.

As a part of this Mission, the special Air India flight (AI 0276) has been scheduled from Colombo to Mumbai on May 29, the High Commission said today in a media release published today (19).
 
Based on the registrations received by the High Commission of India, a passenger manifest will be prepared for this flight, the release read further.

“Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with the expiry of visa, people with medical emergency/ pregnant women/elderly, those required to return to India due to death of a family member, and students as stated in the Standard Operating Procedure issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, for movement of Stranded Indian Nationals dated 05 May 2020.”

Information regarding this flight will be updated on the High Commission of India website. As the Indian High Commission in Colombo has received a large number of repatriation requests from Indian nationals stranded in the island nation, only some of the registered people would be accommodated on this flight that has been scheduled, the statement pointed out.

Short-listed passengers for this flight will be informed through email by the High Commission of India.

Passengers will bear the cost of travel by this flight as well as for mandatory quarantine facilities on arrival in India. Information regarding quarantine facilities and Standard Operating Procedure followed by respective States/UT Governments is available on the High Commission of India website, the release continued.

Those stranded Indian nationals who have not yet registered with the High Commission are advised to kindly do so on the following link - https://hcicolombo.gov.in/COVID_helpline

The Indian High Commission has urged all stranded Indian nationals to be patient and follow the updates on High Commission’s website and social media.