Phase 2 of Vande Bharat Mission to begin from May 16, 149 flights to be deployed: Sources

With first phase of Vande Bharat Mission already underway, sources have reported that Centre is set to operate second phase from May 16 onwards. One of biggest repatriation operations, second phase is expected to last till May 22 and shall evacuate stranded Indians from 31 countries. Sources have reported that for mission, 149 flights including feeder flights will be deployed. 

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31 countries part of second phase includes Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Iman, Qatar, France, Ukraine, Armenia, Kuwait, Ireland, Malaysia, Italy. Here is a chart of number of flights to each country from each state in second phase: 

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first phase of Vande Bharat Mission began on last Thursday. operation which is spread over seven days is expected to operate a total of 64 flights and naval ships as well to 11 countries and bring back around 14,800 people. Stranded citizens will be tested before boarding flight and only asymptomatic individuals will be allowed.   Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for evacuation and has said that it will prioritise distressed in foreign countries. MEA has developed a dynamic online platform on which requests received by Indian Missions from Indian nationals wishing to return are regularly being uploaded.

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