Dharmendra seeks repatriation of Odias from Gulf countries, UK

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has requested External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for direct flights to Bhubaneswar from Gulf countries, United Kingdom, and Sri Lanka to bring back Odia migrants, workers and students.

In a letter, Pradhan urged the two ministers to arrange direct flights to Bhubaneswar from cities like Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Muscat, Bahrain, Colombo, and London.

“I have received several representations from Odia persons living abroad requesting for their repatriation directly to Bhubaneswar. The Odia community representatives living in GCC countries, United Kingdom, and Sri Lanka have made specific requests to travel back from their respective capital cities to Bhubaneswar directly,” said the Minister.

“Since they are in good numbers in these countries, point to point direct flights may be arranged from the cities like Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Muscat, Bahrain, Colombo and London to Bhubaneswar, which would also make commercial sense for the airlines,” Pradhan said in the letter.

“This would go a long way in helping them during this time of crisis,” he added.