India is all set to bring back stranded citizens from Gulf Countries, as many as 1,92,000 people will be evacuated in the first phase of the exercise with the focus being on the Middle East. Indian Government is all set for India’s largest evacuation plans “Vande Bharat Mission” and "Samudra Setu", which is about to begin from 7th May 2020, as part of Phase-1, Indian Navy has propelled Operation "Samudra Setu" - signifying "Ocean Bridge", as a feature of a national exertion to repatriate Indian residents from abroad. This operation will take place on 8th May 2020 with the joint coordination of Defence Ministries, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health Ministries, agencies of government of India and State government.

 All passengers will be screened, and only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel, as per government guidelines. On arrival, they will be screened and compulsory need to install “Aarogya Setu” application and will be quarantined for 14 days in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment-basis by the state governments, says the home ministry. Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar will evacuate more than 1,500 individuals from the maldives, while considering COVID-19 related standards & guidelines issued by Central Ministry the INS Jalashwa will carry 800, were as INS Magar will carry 200 civilians on board during the first phase of operation. . Basic amenities and medical facility will be provided onboard during the sea-passage. The distance between the Maldives Island and Kochi is about 820kms.

 The evacuated personnel will be anchor at Kochi, Kerala harbour and entrusted state authorities for further check-up and process. INS Shardul which is commissioned in Southern Naval Command has been redirected to Dubai. There are other Naval ships on standby and waiting for the Central government directions. As per the new guidelines from the Home Ministries these Indian personals will be charged a certain amount as a travelling expense. Earlier also Indian Navy has carried out many of such operations but keeping track on the current COVID-19 Pandemic its going be challenging for Naval Personals as there are few of the cases been reported positive in few of the seamen, all the necessary protocols will be followed strictly.

 According to Central Government “Vande Bharat Mission” the Air India has already started evacuation process of 15,000 Indian National from countries affected due to COVID-19 with 64 flights in first week from 7th May to 13th May. Ten flights to the UAE, seven flights each to the US and the UK, five flights to Saudi Arabia, five flights to Singapore and two flights to Qatar to repatriate.  India will also operate seven flights each to Malaysia and Bangladesh, five flights each to Kuwait and Philippines, two flights each to Oman and Bahrain. These flights will take off from Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. Even Indian Air-Force has prepared about 30 military transport planes and put on standby to carry out evacuation operation across the gulf countries if needed. Further Indian Embassy are preparing a list of people who need to be evacuated in another phase of operations.

In an Order passed by Ministry of Home Affairs, passengers will be charged, and all the details will be provided to them in advance. The Union Home Ministry of India have issued a strict guideline for the people who will on boarding these special flights. Once retuning back to India, all the on boarded passengers need to go through screening and compulsory to download “Aarogya Setu” app and further they will be sent to strict 14 days of quarantine period. All the passengers will have to follow the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.