With the first batch of Haj pilgrims scheduled to leave for Saudi Arabia next month, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday directed officials to ensure all facilities to the faithfuls to make their stay and travel hassle-free and comfortable.
"All facilities should be ensured to the 'Aazmeen-e-Hajj' (Haj pilgrims) to make their stay and travel from and to the state hassle-free and comfortable," Omar said while chairing a high level meeting in Srinagar.
The meeting was convened to take stock of arrangements put in place by the state Haj Committee and various state and central departments for the conduct of this year's pilgrimage from the state, an official spokesman said. He said the Chief Minister was briefed on the arrangements made by various agencies for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage from the state.
Omar expressed gratitude to the Centre for operating direct flights from Srinagar to the holy city of Madina in Saudi Arabia again this year. "It (operational of direct flights) has relieved the Aazmeen-e-Hajj from various difficulties and hassles."
Flights for Haj pilgrims from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia will operate from September 7 to September 23, while flights back to the state will operate from October 12 to November 15, the spokesman said. "There will be two flights daily with a capacity of 275 pilgrims in each flight.
The flights will operate directly from Srinagar to Madina," the spokesman said, adding, 8,664 pilgrims are proceeding for Haj from the state this year.
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