Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 24: Nearly 500 tourists from Maharashtra, left stranded in Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack, have been safely flown back to the state over the past two days under a coordinated rescue effort led by Chief Minister Devendra?Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath?Shinde.

Fadnavis personally supervised the operation, arranging two special flights—one with IndiGo and another with Air India—that have already touched down in Mumbai carrying 184 passengers. A third charter for 232 more travellers is scheduled for April?25, with the state government covering all costs. Fadnavis has authorized additional flights if demand requires.

Disaster Management Minister Girish?Mahajan was dispatched immediately to Kashmir to liaise with tourists and assess their needs. Fadnavis conducted video calls from New Delhi, checking in with those recuperating at the Army hospital and thanking medical staff for their care. Shinde, meanwhile, traveled to Srinagar to coordinate logistics on the ground, later visiting injured tourists in hospital to offer personal reassurance.

A three tier command structure—comprising the Chief Minister’s Office, the Mantralaya in Mumbai, and a special cell at Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi—has been activated to process requests and manage bookings. Some tourists have been temporarily housed at Jammu’s Kalika Dham, while others awaiting onward connections are being accommodated in Delhi. Passenger manifests are continuously updated to ensure no one is overlooked.

On social media, Shinde described meeting frightened holiday makers firsthand and escorting 75 evacuees on a late night flight home, where Shiv Sena representatives welcomed and comforted them at Mumbai airport. With these efforts, Maharashtra’s leadership has demonstrated swift, hands on crisis management to reunite its citizens with their families.