21 embarkation points for Haj flights: Haj Committee

As many as 21 embarkation points, including one in Jammu and Kashmir, have been established across the country for operation of Haj flights for nearly one lakh pilgrims this year, Haj Committee of India said here today.
Nearly one lakh people are expected to perform the annual Haj Pilgrimage from India this year, including 6684 from Jammu and Kashmir.
21 embarkation points, including one at Srinagar, have been established across the country for operation of Haj flights with first scheduled to take off from the city here on August 17, chairman Haj Committee of India, Shamim Qaiser said.
Qaiser called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here this morning and apprised him about the measures being taken for smooth conduct of Haj-2015.

During the meeting, Qaiser briefed the Chief Minister about the preparations underway for operation of direct Haj flights from Srinagar to Medina Munawarah in Saudi Arabia and arrangements made for stay of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
He said the facilities this year will be better than last year and it will be ensured that pilgrims face no difficulty while performing Haj.

The Chairman, who is here to oversee arrangements being made by the State Haj Committee, said all direct flights to Medina Munawarah from Srinagar will be operated by Air India.
While two daily flights will run between Srinagar and Medina Munawarah from August 17 to 21, one flight from August 22 till August 31 will take the pilgrims to the Holy Land.

As many as 340 pilgrims will fly in each flight between August 17 and 31, he said.