According to authorities, the first batch of 630 Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir would depart for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for the annual Hajj trip.
For the first time in 10 years, Haj pilgrims will arrive in Jeddah straight. Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, Executive Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee, said that two aircraft are planned to depart from J-K to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, each carrying 315 Hajj pilgrims.
“The first flight will take off at 3 p.m., and the second flight will take off at 5 p.m.,” he said, adding that pilgrims were requested to come before six hours so that the required procedures could be completed on time.
He also said that for the first time, women pilgrims without Mahrams would do the Hajj this year, with at least 115 of them departing for Saudi Arabia on June 9, 2023.
According to a lottery conducted in March 2023, around 10,000 individuals from Jammu and Kashmir will do the Hajj this year. For Hajj-2023, a total of 14271 applications were received.
For the first time in 10 years, pilgrims will arrive in Jeddah straight from Jammu and Kashmir, while officials have also urged pilgrims to carry their Ahram in their personal handbags.
Kuldeep Singh Rishi, Director of Srinagar International Airport, said that a special location has been designated at the airport for transporting pilgrims from the departure entrance gate to the aircraft, as well as segregated places where pilgrims may wear their Ahram.
He said that additional efforts had been taken to guarantee the pilgrims’ safe and pleasant trip. “A special check-in counter has been set up at Haj house Bemina for screening pilgrims’ luggage.” The pilgrims will then be transported to the airport in AC buses, while their luggage will be transported in separate sealed container trucks,” he said.
He further said that customs processing would be handled at Haj House Bemina in order to minimise airport congestion. “For the Srinagar to Jeddah leg of the journey, the Airport Authority has deployed an Airbus A340, a wide-body aircraft known for its spaciousness and comfort.”
