Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 11: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s sustained efforts to make Hajj operation hassle-free from the State by operating direct Hajj flights from Srinagar has yielded favourable result for the Hajj pilgrims. Indian Airlines is operating flights from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia directly for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
Chairing the Hajj Committee meeting here this afternoon, Omar, who is also Chairman of the State Hajj Committee, said that the direct operations of Hajj flights by the Indian Airlines would make the pilgrimage smooth and relieve the intending Hajj pilgrims of the burden of transshipment from one aircraft to another.
Asking the Hajj Committee to put in place all efforts in providing best possible facilities to the Hajj pilgrims, Omar said that every care should be taken for their accommodation, stay at Hajj House, immigration and custom clearance, etc. He directed the Hajj Committee to publish a guide book for the pilgrims indicating details of the facilities, emergency service, enquiry and related issues that would prove helpful to them in Saudi Arabia during the performance of the Hajj.
He said this guide book should be provided to all the Hajj pilgrims. He also directed for providing SIM cards as introduced during Hajj-2011 to Khudam-ul-Hujaj so that they could be contacted by the pilgrims in the hour of need.
It was stated in the meeting that highest number of over 9100 Aazmeen-e-Hajj would be performing Hajj-2012 as the Hajj quota for the State has been increased from last year’s 8441 to 8670 this year which is highest in last four years. In addition to this, private Hajj operators are facilitating 500 intending Hajj pilgrims.
In a PowerPoint presentation, Commissioner Secretary Hajj and Auqaf, B. A. Runiyal gave details of the arrangements and preparedness for Hajj-2012. He said that the first Hajj flight will take off from September 17 this year and each day 270 Aazmeen-e-Hajj will be carried from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia. He said one flight is scheduled for one day. However, he added, two Hajj flights would be operated for eight days.
Presenting brief about the preparedness and operational schedule of Indian Airlines, the authorities of the Airlines said that Hajj flights will commence at Srinagar and land at Sharjah for refueling where from these will fly to Madinah Munawar.
Minister of State for Hajj, Ajaz Ahmad Khan informed the meeting that the return of Hajjis from Saudi Arabia has been arranged under first schedule to save the hardships that may occur due to whether vagaries during winter months.
The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the facilities to be provided to Hajj pilgrims would be better than last year.
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