The Indian Ministry of Tourism has launched a portal called "Stranded in India" to help thousands of foreigners – including tourists from the Gulf – who arrived in India before the coronavirus pandemic and are now stuck in the country following cancellation of domestic and international flights, trains and inter-state buses, said a report.

 

"The aim of the portal is to extend support to foreign tourists who are stranded in India and to disseminate information regarding the services that can be availed of by foreigners who are stuck far away from their homeland," said a report in WAM citing an announcement from the government’s Press Information Bureau.

 

The portal’s services may also help Indian citizens who live abroad and want to return to countries where they work or do business as expatriates.

 

The portal has the following information that will hopefully be of use to thousands of stranded foreigners at this time: comprehensive information about COVID-19 helpline numbers or call centres which foreigners can reach out to for help; information around state-based or regional tourism support infrastructure; help and support section to extend help to the ones in need of further information and connect foreign tourists to the concerned authorities, the report said.

 

The portal also has detailed of information on the round-the-clock helpline for worldwide coordination on COVID-19 of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs along with their contact information, it said.