Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, May 14: After a brief suspension of flights, the second batch of pilgrims today embarked on their journey for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from Hajj House Bemina.
Officials said two flights were scheduled to take off from Srinagar International Airport, carrying 321 pilgrims from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Early in the morning, pilgrims along with their family members were seen arriving at Hajj House, where-after completing the necessary formalities-they were transported to the airport.
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Ghulam Nabi Shah, a pilgrim from Magam, said he was initially apprehensive about the flight but felt relieved once the schedule was confirmed.
“We were concerned that the flights might be delayed further, but luckily the situation improved, and we are now able to embark on the Hajj journey,” he said.
As per the official notification, flights SG-5114 and SG-5214 were scheduled to depart from Srinagar International Airport, carrying 321 pilgrims from different districts.
The initial reporting time at Hajj House Bemina was set from 6:00 am to 6:30 am for pilgrims on flight SG-5114, and from 9:00 am to 9:30 am for those on flight SG-5214.
However, changes were later made to the schedule. Authorities cited “operational constraints” and the need to change aircraft at Delhi airport.
“Due to operational constraints at Srinagar Airport, the designated airlines for pilgrims haven’t received clearance. As a result, pilgrims will need to change aircraft at Delhi. To facilitate this, they will be transported to Delhi in two separate flights,” the authorities informed.
Revised reporting times were issued as follows: 170 pilgrims, as per the schedule, were asked to report to Hajj House between 4:15 am and 4:45 am, while 151, notified by the J&K Hajj Committee, pilgrims were asked to report between 6:30 am and 7:00 am.
Showkat Ahmad, another pilgrim from north Kashmir’s Sopore, expressed his eagerness to begin the journey. “Now that it has finally happened, I’m glad we are going to be there (Mecca). I will pray for peace to prevail and sustain in J&K,” he said.
It is worth noting that the first batch of 178 pilgrims was flagged off by LG Manoj Sinha from Srinagar Airport on May 4.
Following that, 10 more flights were scheduled until May 15; however, due to tensions between India and Pakistan and the subsequent suspension of air traffic, the flights were cancelled.
A fresh schedule for the flights on May 14 was issued by the J&K Hajj Committee only after the NOTAM was withdrawn and Srinagar International Airport, along with 32 others, was reopened for civil operations.
Regarding the pilgrims who were scheduled to depart but couldn’t due to the suspension of civil flights at Srinagar Airport, officials have assured that they will also be accommodated.
Meanwhile, the J&K Hajj Committee today issued the schedule for four new flights from Srinagar, carrying a total of 641 pilgrims.
Flights SG-8014, SG-8018, SG-8022, and SG-8016 have been scheduled, including two flights to accommodate pilgrims who could not travel earlier due to flight suspensions.
“The competent authority has approved one additional flight from the Srinagar Embarkation Point on 15th May 2025 and allotted it to pilgrims from the Union Territory of Ladakh who are stranded in Srinagar.”
Reporting time at Hajj House Bemina is from 4:15 am to 8:45 am, during which pilgrims will be transported to Srinagar Airport for onward travel.
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