Mumbai, Aug 28: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that 37 pilgrims from Maharashtra stranded in Saga, Tibet, after completing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have departed safely via the Nyalm Check Post route to Kathmandu.

The Maharashtra CMO, in a post on X, said, “The 37 pilgrims from Thane, Pune, Alibag, Raigad, and Dombivli areas had gone for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. They got stranded in Saga during their return journey. Their return flight from Kathmandu was scheduled for 2 PM on August 29, making it essential to reach Kathmandu on time. Upon receiving this information, Chief Minister Fadnavis immediately contacted the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, secured the necessary assistance, and ensured the safe return journey from Saga to Kathmandu for all pilgrims. In this hour of crisis, everyone expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Fadnavis, the Maharashtra Government, and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for the timely help received.”

The CMO also uploaded the list of the 37 pilgrims in the post.

Earlier, CM Fadnavis on Thursday evening spoke to stranded citizens and assured them all possible help for their safe return.

The Chief Minister’s Office in a post on X said, “All 106 passengers from Nagpur have safely departed from Kathmandu for Danapur, Bihar. Following a phone call from CM Fadnavis, Nepal MP Sandeep Rana arranged four local mini-buses to facilitate their journey from Kathmandu to Janakpur. The passengers are expected to reach the Janakpur–Bihar border tomorrow morning. Buses have been arranged for their journey to Danapur, Bihar, from where their return journey by train has also been arranged.”

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said several citizens from Maharashtra, particularly from Satara, Mahabaleshwar, and Pune regions, are stranded in Nepal.

Speaking to reporters, he stated that continuous efforts were being made to establish contact with the stranded residents and bring them back safely to Maharashtra. He said that due to the natural disaster that has hit Nepal, several citizens from the state are stranded there, while the search for some is still ongoing.

He interacted via video call with Shiv Sena’s Deputy District Chief Megha Chorge and her colleagues, who are stranded in Pokhara near Kathmandu. During the call, he inquired about their well-being and reassured them, stating that all possible assistance would be provided to ensure their early return.

Describing the situation in Nepal as extremely tragic and unfortunate, Dy CM Shinde said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a helping hand to Nepal at the Central level. He added that supporting each other during times of crisis is our responsibility, and the Central government, Government of Maharashtra, State Disaster Management Authority, and Shiv Sena’s disaster management team are working in close coordination.

Dy CM Shinde also mentioned that maximum efforts are being made to reach and assist stranded citizens of Maharashtra through Shiv Sena workers based in Nepal.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of the severe flood situation in Nepal, joint efforts by the Central and state governments are underway to ensure the safety of Maharashtra’s citizens. Additionally, Shiv Sena’s disaster management machinery has been activated for relief work. Yuva Sena’s Rahul Kanal, along with several Shiv Sainiks, left for Nepal to assist in the operations.

Mumbai, Aug 27: Following severe flooding, landslides and earthquakes in the Nepal-Tibet region, the Maharashtra government is actively gathering information regarding tourists from the state currently stranded in the affected areas.

Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan on Thursday confirmed that state authorities are in constant communication with the Union Government and that relief mechanisms are operating round the clock.

Mahajan said officials had successfully contacted four tourists so far, confirming they were safe. The administration had collected details for roughly 80 individuals. However, communication remained severely impaired because damaged mobile networks and landline outages cut off the affected regions.

A group of tourists travelled to Mansarovar via two vehicles organised by Richard Tours & Travels. Approximately 37 passengers in one vehicle have been confirmed safe. Operations are ongoing to track down the remaining travellers despite severe transportation disruptions caused by landslides, he said.

Mahajan urged families not to panic, emphasising that both central and state agencies were leaving no stone unturned to locate and assist every traveller from Maharashtra. He further stated that all District Collectors across Maharashtra had been instructed to compile lists of residents who recently travelled to the Nepal-Tibet region.

The state government has appealed to relatives and the general public to share any available details regarding stranded individuals.

To streamline information collection and facilitate immediate relief, the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (Control Room, Mantralaya) has launched a dedicated online portal and 24/7 helpline numbers. Relatives can register details of stranded family members at https://geospatial.mahaseoc.in/Sahayata_gulf/.

The government has released the following numbers: State Control Room Toll-Free Number 1070 and Direct Control Room Line +91-9321587143. The official email is controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in. Family members of tourists currently in Nepal are strongly encouraged to submit complete details through the official link or contact the control room immediately, said Mahajan.

Mumbai: Police has unearthed a call centre where people were being duped in the name of courier companies and other companies and franchises. The police received information that a call centre was being run at Room No. 90, Karar, “Internet Transfer Visa Private Limited”, Axis Bank Mobile Colony Road, Malad (Mumbai) in which people were being duped. The police conducted a raid from August 25 to August 26. The people present in the said call centre used to contact the citizens of Mumbai and Maharashtra using the names of various courier and commerce companies and collected money from them by tricking them into giving courier/franchises with well-known courier and commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Mantra, Blue Dart, DTDC, Veena Market etc. During the said operation, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as the Information Technology Act under Case No. 98/26 of Karar Police Station, Mumbai. A case has been registered under relevant sections. 09 people, including the director of the company involved in the said crime, have been arrested and permission has been obtained to keep them in police custody till August 28. During the said operation, 10 high-end desktop computers, 22 laptops, 30 mobile phones, 5 TVs, more than 100 fraudulent agreements worth a total of 24,00,000/- were seized. During further investigation of the said crime, it has been revealed that more than 20 people have been cheated, while more complaints are being received. Citizens who have been cheated by the said company can contact the police and file a complaint. The said operation has been conducted by Police Commissioner, Devan Bharti, Police Joint Commissioner (Crime), Anil Kanbhare, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime), Krishan Kant Upadhyay, DCP Vinonath Dhole.