Srinagar, Mar 23 (KNO): The slow evacuation of Indian students stranded in Iran continues as nearly 120 students remain stuck in Astara awaiting exit clearance, with uncertainties looming over their timely return.
According to details available obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), around 100 out of the 120 students currently in Astara may receive the required exit codes by March 31 due to the slow process. This has raised apprehensions among students and their families, as it may not be feasible for all of them to secure clearance within the given timeframe.
The evacuation process via land routes has been progressing at a sluggish pace, with only about 8 to 20 students crossing the Azerbaijan border each day. Authorities had earlier arranged evacuation corridors through Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of a coordinated effort to facilitate the safe return of Indian nationals stranded in Iran. However, the limited daily movement has slowed down the overall process.
Several students have already been routed to Mumbai through alternative arrangements, with the majority of those evacuated so far belonging to Jammu & Kashmir.
Around 200 Indian medical students are still stranded in different parts of Iran, waiting for evacuation or relocation options.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President of the All India Medical Students Association, acknowledged the challenges but expressed gratitude to the authorities involved in the operation. He said that despite major holidays such as Nowruz and Eid, officials and support teams have remained actively engaged on the ground to assist students.
“If the current pace of evacuation continues, we are hopeful that most of the stranded students will be able to leave Iran by March 31,” Dr Khan said, adding that the process is still underway and requires sustained coordination.
The evacuation efforts are being carried out through close coordination between student bodies and government agencies, aimed at ensuring the safe and orderly return of Indian nationals.
Parents have proposed destinations such as Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Germany, stressing that prolonged uncertainty and disruptions could severely impact the academic future of their children—(KNO)