PATNA: Around 100 pilgrims from Maharashtra, stranded in Kathmandu after sudden flash floods in Nepal, were safely evacuated and sent back to their home state from Patna by train on Saturday morning following a request from the Maharashtra government, a senior Bihar government official said.The official described the operation as a humanitarian initiative undertaken by the Bihar government.Acting on the directions of Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary, and under the continuous supervision of chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit and the principal secretary of the disaster management department, the Sitamarhi district administration coordinated with the department to launch swift rescue and transit arrangements on August 28.The pilgrims were first escorted safely from the Nepal border to Sitamarhi. The district administration arranged food, drinking water and other essential facilities for them there, ensuring that the group was looked after immediately after crossing into Bihar.According to a communique issued by the Bihar government, the pilgrims were later transported from Sitamarhi to Patna, reaching the state capital at 2.30am on Saturday.The Patna district administration accommodated them at OP Sah Samudayik Bhavan and provided lodging, food, medical check-ups and other necessary support during the night.The state government also coordinated with the railways to facilitate their onward journey. At the level of chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit, coordination was established with the chairperson of the Railway Board in New Delhi, after which two additional coaches were attached to the Patna-Purna Express.The communique said that at 7.30am on August 29, all the pilgrims were safely sent to Maharashtra by train under the special arrangement made in the Patna-Purna Express.Following their safe and dignified return journey, the pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Bihar government, as well as the Sitamarhi and Patna district administrations, for their prompt, sensitive and coordinated relief efforts.
