According to the Consul General of India in Jeddah Faiz Ahmad Kidwai for the first time accommodation arrangements have been made in advance for all the pilgrims.
The Haj pilgrims from India have started arriving in Madina and Jeddah. The first batch of Hajis arrived in Madina from Kolkata and in Jeddah from Ranchi on Monday. About 45,000 pilgrims will come through private tour operators.
Around 400 flights would be ferrying the Indian pilgrims from different parts of the country between 17th of September and 21st of October.
For the first time Indian Haj pilgrims are being provided with economical SIM cards with contact number of all concerned officials of the Consulate and the important numbers so that pilgrims could get all the assistance.
479 buildings have been hired to accommodate 1.25 lakh pilgrims coming through the Haj Committee of India. 60,000 housing units have been hired in Makkah and 70,000 housing units have been hired in Azizia for their stay.
For the Mina-Arafat-Muzdfalifah-Mina route, Indian pilgrims are likely to avail the train facility this year. City Check in arrangements for baggage will continue. State Bank of India, Jeddah has launched Prepaid ATM card in Saudi Riyal, the Vishwa Yatra Travel card available at all embarkation points.
In addition to a 50 bed hospital in Makkah, a 30 bed hospital has been set up in Azizia to meet the medical needs of around 70,000 Haj pilgrims who will be staying in Azizia. Bed sheets, pillow cover, bucket etc. would be supplied through an agency rather than the individual landlord.
During the Haj 2012, refilling of gas cylinders will be carried out through branch offices. A reputed agency services have been hired for cleaning, plumbing and Air Conditioning services. Online Complaint system has been put in place to redress their grievances quickly.
The Chairperson of the Haj Committee of India, Mohsina Kidwai visited Makkah, Madina and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia between 14th and 16th September to oversee the arrangements for the Haj pilgrims from India. Expressing satisfaction, she instructed the officials to ensure the service and welfare of Indian Hajis.
