Maharashtra Government Spent ₹64 Lakh To Airlift Stranded Tourists From Kashmir

The state government that swung into action soon after the terrorist attack at Pahalgam on April 22 has spent Rs64 lakh to bring back the tourists stranded in Jammu and Kashmir by aeroplanes. As the state-initiated drive saw 500 tourists coming back to their homes, another exercise undertaken by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on behalf of his party, Shiv Sena, brought back around 900 tourists from J&K.

The state has approved three bills submitted by a travel agency from Pune that was engaged in arranging the tourists' return by air. The agency submitted three bills against the cost of the arrangements for Rs11,65,234, Rs38,61,040 and Rs13,74,976.

A press release issued by the state government on April 25 said that 416 tourists were brought back in three flights from Kashmir. While two planes brought 184 tourists, the third one reached Mumbai on Friday with 232 passengers, says the release.

According to Satishkumar Khadke, director of the state disaster management, the government's special efforts led to the return of 500 tourists by plane. Going with the details of the expenses, the exact cost incurred was Rs64,01,250, so the state spent over Rs12,000 per tourist.

According to the state press release, around 800 more tourists were brought back to the state through other modes of transport.

A similar exercise undertaken by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena brought 900 tourists back to the state by special flights. Mangesh Chivte, officer on special duty to DyCM Shinde, said the party has now stopped the special arrangements as no more requests are coming in. In any case, the money spent by the Sena could be around Rs1 crore roughly.

Meanwhile, the state government approved the Pune agency bills worth Rs 64,01,250 from different heads, such as the social security and welfare, assistance to riot-affected people, and assistance to people affected by terrorist attacks.