Omar Abdullah reviews arrangements for Haj pilgrimage

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reviewed the arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of Haj-2014 from the state and emphasised on ensuring all facilities for the pilgrims.

Abdullah reviewed the arrangements at a meeting of State Haj Committee here, an official spokesman said.

The Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of the state Haj Committee, emphasized on ensuring all facilities to the pilgrims including at Saudi Arabia, he added.

The spokesperson said Abdullah told officers that all agencies responsible for the conduct of Haj should work in close coordination to render best services to the pilgrims.

It was stated in the meeting that the first Haj flight from Srinagar Airport will take off on August 27 at 10 am, while two flights will take off daily from August 28 till September 12, 2014, he said.

He said as many as 7,007 pilgrims were proceeding for the pilgrimage this year and 275 pilgrims will board each flight which will operate directly from Srinagar to Madina Munawara.

For the first time, the male pilgrims of the state will be provided with special jackets and female pilgrims with scarves for their easy identification, the spokesman said. He said members at the meeting were told that necessary vaccination of the pilgrims had already been completed.

Matters pertaining to the transportation of pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar and the arrangements made for their boarding and lodging at Haj House here were also discussed in detail in the meeting, the spokesman said.