As many as 1,200 people from Maharashtra are stranded in the quake-hit Nepal, the state government has established contacts with around 1,000 of them, while 16 others have been rescued and brought back to India.
"From the phone calls that we have received, it has been learnt that approximately 1,200 people from Maharashtra are stranded in Nepal. So far, we have information about 1,000 stranded people. Today, 16 people from the state have been brought back to India and a large number of people are expected by late this evening," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI here today.
The state government had not received any information on casualties of people from Maharashtra, he said, adding that there were around 1,500 Indians at Kathmandu airport waiting to be evacuated.
"Once people from Maharashtra are rescued and brought back to India, the state government will also provide train tickets to those, who are in need. We have arranged for free boarding and lodging at the Maharashtra Sadan (in Delhi)," Fadnavis said.
An official from the state Disaster Control said that due to the air relief operations being put on hold till evening due to fresh tremors in Nepal, a large number of people, including those from Maharashtra were expected to arrive in the country late into tonight.
The official said that the government was in touch with a group of 45 people from Pune who had gone on a trekking expedition to Nepal and were in Namche Bazaar village in East Nepal currently.
Similarly, the government was in touch with people, who went to Nepal through agencies like Giri Premi Travels, Heramb Travels, Vyankatesh Travels. "Efforts are being made to bring them back," the official said.
Seven people from Thane, eight people from Pimpri- Chinchwad, six people from Satara, five from Hadapsar, 48 people from Nanded, 156 from Washim-Akola-Yavatmal region and 100 from Khanpur-Atpadi region were in contact with the state government, the official added.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena announced to donate salaries of its MPs for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims. RPI(A) Chief Ramdas Athawale, too, donated a month's salary for the relief and rehabilitation of those who have been affected by the earthquake.
