HYDERABAD: Minority Welfare Minister Mohd Ahmadulla Syed has said the Government has made all arrangements for Muslims who go on Haj pilgrimage this year. The Haj committee has taken all necessary measures to avoid inconvenience to the pilgrims, he said.
After having `Embarkment point’ meeting on Haj-2009 with officials of Saudi Airlines, Customs, GMR group, Roads and Buildings, Water Works, Medical and Health, Wakf Board, APSRTC and other departments concerned here, the minister later told media persons that the first flight would leave for Saudi Arabia from Rajiv Gandhi International airport on October 23. In all, about 15 flights have been arranged between October 23 and November 11 to fly 6,540 Haj pilgrims.
Saudi Airlines has agreed to provide a special jumbo flight to carry 417 pilgrims everyday.
The GMR Group would arrange a special terminal at the airport, he added.
Ahmadulla further said that the Haj pilgrims would be allowed to carry luggage weighing 55 kg per person.
The airport authorities have agreed to reduce user charges for Haj pilgrims by 50 percent.
In all, about 6,540 Haj pilgrims would leave from Andhra Pradesh to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, he noted.