The first batch of tourists from Pune that were stranded in Jammu and Kashmir reached Pune on Thursday afternoon. Jitendra Dudi, district collector, said the first 11 tourists were brought back to the city on a special flight. In total, there are 657 tourists from Pune who are in Jammu and Kashmir who will be brought back on special flights in batches.
Dudi said 147 tourists will be brought back to Pune by April 27. On April 25, 77 more tourists are scheduled to be flown down, while 12 others will be brought back by April 26. Another 29 tourists will return by April 27.
“We are in talks to work out the logistics – mostly Air India and Indigo flights would be used to ferry back the stranded tourists,” Dudi said.
The highest number of tourists stranded in Jammu and Kashmir as of now are from Pune. Most of the tourists had gone as part of package tours and the district authorities managed to contact most of them. Dudi said all the tourists would be brought back by flights sponsored by the government. Since Tuesday, the day of the attack, a special helpline number was made operational to help stranded tourists and concerned relatives.
Tour operators from Pune confirmed that upcoming tours have seen large scale cancellations. Hotel operators in Jammu and Kashmir have made full refunds. Flight charges however have continued to rise, which had many people complaining about the same on social media. People who were to travel by train have also cancelled their tickets.
