JEDDAH: About 170,000 pilgrims from India are set to perform Haj this year. Of the total, 125,000 will come through the Haj Committee of India (HCI). More than 300 private tour operators will bring around 45,000 pilgrims.
All necessary preparations have been made to make sure the Indian pilgrims coming through the Haj Committee have a comfortable stay and complete the rituals at ease, said Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.
The first Haj flights carrying Indian pilgrims will land on Monday. Air India and Saudi Arabian Airlines will transport all Indian pilgrims. Kidwai said Saudia would fly 70,600 pilgrims and Air India 54,400 from 21 Indian cities.
The first flight carrying 423 pilgrims will arrive at 10:30 a.m. in Madinah from Calcutta and the second with 230 pilgrims would land at King Abdulaziz International Airport's Haj Terminal from Ranchi at 5:30 p.m. the same day.
The pilgrims will be allowed to carry 45 kg in check-in baggage, 10 kg as hand luggage and 10 liters of Zam Zam water on their return journey. To help the pilgrims with their excess baggage, the consulate has taken initiatives through different cargo agents to send excess baggage by cargo to pilgrims’ home addresses.
Efforts have been made this year to hire better accommodation for the pilgrims. Around 479 buildings have been hired in Makkah to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims. Of these, 265 are located near the Grand Mosque and 214 in Azizia district. Transport arrangements have been made for the pilgrims staying in Azizia to help them get to and from the mosque at prayer times.
Seven housing groups in Madinah will provide accommodation to the Indian pilgrims.
“New efforts to improve and upgrade the quality of services have been initiated this year,” said the consul general. Detailing the significant features of this year’s arrangement, he said the Haj establishment will be supplying bed sheets, pillow covers and bucket through an agency rather than the landlord. The refilling of a gas cylinder will be carried out through branch offices.
For the first time, Indian pilgrims will be given an STC SIM card before they leave India for the Kingdom. The SIM cards will be provided with the contact numbers of all concerned of the consulate as well as other important numbers.
Better accommodation awaits Indian pilgrims
