New Delhi: The central government on Tuesday filed an affidavit in the Supreme court saying that non-availability of flights is no more a reason why Indians are stranded in Kuwait.
"...some of those registered may not be willing to travel now. Also, there may be some others who registered but travelled on flights other than those being operated under the Vande Bharat Mission. Air India, Air India Express and Indigo Airlines are scheduled to operate total 83 flights between Kuwait and different destinations of India," the affidavit read.
Earlier today the court had asked the centre to "find out a way" to bring back Indians stranded in Kuwait. The External Affairs Ministry filed the affidavit in response to the court's ruling.
"Foreign airlines, such as Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airlines have also been operating a sufficient number of flights between Kuwait and India during the COVID-19 period and continue to do so during this month too," said the government.
Flights are rescheduled or cancelled in case there are not sufficient people to travel or for other operational issues, added the centre.
It informed the court that till October 1, a total of 559 flights including 177 special flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission and 382 chartered and special flights operated separately.
The affidavit added that the government has already repatriated 87,022 out of 1,33,000 Indians who had registered.
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