DEHRADUN: Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, the Uttarakhand government has gone into alert mode to ensure the safety of its citizens residing, working and studying across West Asia. With a significant number of residents employed in the healthcare, hospitality and labour sectors in the Gulf, the state is compiling a comprehensive database to facilitate swift assistance if required.
The government’s focus extends beyond the immediate conflict zone of Israel and Iran to the wider West Asian region, where a sizeable diaspora from the Himalayan state is based.
“The state government has proactively initiated measures to ensure that no citizen from Uttarakhand feels abandoned during this crisis,” said Anand Vardhan, Additional Chief Secretary. “Our priority is to maintain seamless coordination with the Central Government to provide immediate assistance whenever necessary.”
To streamline communication, the state has activated a dedicated help desk and directed the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi, Ajay Mishra, to remain in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the relevant embassies.
Speaking to TNIE, Mishra said the MEA has issued a web link enabling stranded Indians to upload their details. “This will assist embassies in locating them and extending support in the event of any government-led evacuation,” he said.
“We are on high alert. Although air services are currently suspended, we are prepared to facilitate the return of any Uttarakhand resident as soon as operations resume,” he added.
The Home Department has instructed all District Magistrates to compile lists of families whose members are currently in West Asian countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, which host a large share of the state’s migrant workforce. To modernise the tracking process, the government has also issued a QR code and registration link, urging migrants to register their details with Indian embassies.
Families in Uttarakhand have been advised to remain in regular contact with their relatives abroad and to ensure they strictly follow official advisories issued by the Government of India.
The prevailing anxiety was reflected in the account of Inderjit Kaur, whose relatives recently travelled to the UAE. “My relatives reached Abu Dhabi on Saturday on one of the last flights before tensions escalated,” she said. “They reported hearing explosions near defence installations, but residential areas currently remain stable.”
The State Control Room, in coordination with the Disaster Management Department, is operating round the clock to monitor developments. Officials have been assigned specific responsibilities to act as a bridge between families in Uttarakhand and the MEA in New Delhi, ensuring a prompt response to any emergency.