Amaravati, March 9, 2026
Amid escalating hostilities in West Asia triggered by the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, more than 500 people from Andhra Pradesh have returned home after being stranded across several Gulf nations. According to APNRTS president Ravi Vemuru, the majority of those affected were transit passengers or individuals travelling on temporary visas who found themselves unable to return due to sudden airport closures, flight cancellations, and regional security concerns.
Coordinated Repatriation Efforts
APNRTS facilitated the return of nearly 400 individuals who reached out for assistance, while many others managed to travel independently via commercial flights.
Passengers were repatriated from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman through a mix of direct flights and carefully arranged transit routes. In several cases, stranded travellers were moved from Dubai to Muscat before boarding flights to India, while some were flown directly from locations such as Fujairah on private services.
The Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi also played a supporting role, helping coordinate travel arrangements and liaising with central authorities to ensure safe passage for those affected.
Pastors Still Stranded in Bahrain
Despite the large-scale return, a small group of around 50 pastors who had travelled to Bahrain for a conference remain stranded due to the absence of direct flights and procedural hurdles in securing transit visas. Authorities are exploring alternative routes through Saudi Arabia, including possible transfers via Dammam or Riyadh, to bring them home safely.
Essential Workers Remain in the Gulf
While temporary visitors and transit passengers have largely returned, most Indians employed in Gulf nations—particularly those in oil and gas, government roles, and other essential sectors—continue to remain at their workplaces. Classified as essential workers, they are not permitted to leave their posts despite the ongoing regional instability.
State Government Oversight and Support
The Andhra Pradesh government has been actively monitoring the situation. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu earlier directed officials to coordinate closely with the Centre, Indian embassies, APNRTS, and Real Time Governance Systems (RTGS) to ensure the safety and repatriation of Telugu people stranded in conflict-affected regions. A 24×7 helpline and temporary accommodation facilities have been set up to support those seeking assistance.
A Continuing Humanitarian Challenge
Although the majority of stranded Andhra residents have now returned, the situation remains fluid. Authorities continue to work on securing safe passage for those still stuck abroad, while advising expatriates in the region to remain sheltered and follow embassy advisories until normal flight operations resume.