Coronavirus: 39 Maha tourists stuck in Uzbekistan, says Jayant Patil

Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil on Wednesday said that 39 tourists from the state are stuck in Tashkent in Uzbekistan due to unavailability of flight in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

He assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure their safe return.

Patil also shared on Twitter a clip of his video call with one of the tourists stranded in Uzbekistan.

The water resources minister said that if required, he will speak to NCP chief Sharad Pawar for raising the issue with the External Affairs Ministry to ensure their return to India.

"Abhijit Chimanna, brother of advocate from Sangli Amol Chimanna and my friend, is stuck in Uzbekistan's Tashkent along with 39 tourists from Maharashtra due to unavailability of flight service in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. Spoke to them through video call," Patil tweeted.

"Abhijit Chimanna and colleagues called me from Tashkent given the concern over their return to the homeland. Will make all the efforts to ensure return of these citizens of Maharashtra. If need be, will request @PawarSpeaks Saheb to speak to the External Affairs Ministry," he said.

Meanwhile, Patil held a meeting of Sangli district administration officials, politicians and social activists in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

In another tweet, the minister said that the district administration is prepared to tackle the crisis.

He said isolation wards have been set up in the district.

Patil said events, where people converge in big numbers, have been disallowed and schools, colleges and weekly markets have been kept shut till March 31. Only essential services will be operational, he added.

At 42, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country so far, which includes one death.