Haj pilgrimage is the largest logistical operation undertaken annually by the Government of India beyond its borders.
AMN
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju today launched the Haj Suvidha App 2.0 in New Delhi. Presiding over a conference of chairpersons of Haj Committees of states and union territories, the Minister said, every follower of Islam wish to go for the Haj Yatra at least once in their lifetime.
Mr Rijiju said, this time government has set a target to provide best facilities, services and experience to the Haj Pilgrims. He highlighted that last year, 4,500 Indian Muslim women went for Haj Yatra without Mehram.
In his address, Kiren Rijiju noted that the Haj pilgrimage is the largest logistical operation undertaken annually by the Government of India beyond its borders. He emphasized that Haj has long been a cornerstone of the strong bilateral relationship between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Shri Rijiju highlighted several significant reforms aimed at improving the pilgrimage experience, including the removal of the discretionary quota, the integration of technology through the Haj Suvidha App, and the provision of facilities for female pilgrims without Mehram.
Shri George Kurian spoke about the new measures being implemented for Haj 2025, designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of the Indian pilgrims. Among the key initiatives, he mentioned the procurement of modern buildings with lifts not only in Aziziya but also in nearby areas close to the Haram. Additionally, the latest model buses will be introduced for travel between Makkah, Madinah, and within the Mashaer region. A robust medical support system is being established, and the ratio of Khadim-ul-Hujjaj has been improved from 1 Khadim per 200 pilgrims to 1 Khadim per 150 pilgrims, ensuring more personalized attention, quicker issue resolution, and enhanced support from State Haj Inspectors.
The conference, organized by the Haj Committee of India under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, also marked the launch of the Haj Suvidha App 2.0 by Shri Kiren Rijiju. Building on the success of the Haj Suvidha App 1.0 in 2024, the new version introduces key features such as the selection process, boarding pass and air travel details, a navigation system with Mina maps, and medical history and health advisories for Indian pilgrims.
The conference included discussions on stakeholder feedback, suggestions and the preparations. The deliberations were chaired by Shri George Kurian, Minister of State for Minority Affairs in the presence of Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs and other dignitaries. The suggestions and feedback of the stakeholders would be utilised for ensuring a smooth and successful Haj pilgrimage in 2025.
Haj Suvidha App has been developed by BISAG-N under the able guidance of the Ministry for Minority Affairs, and will be a game changer in the pilgrimage experience. Leveraging digital and mobile technologies, the Haj Suvidha app will provide necessary information and direct access to important services like Training modules, Flight Details, Accommodation, Emergency Helpline, Health, etc. at the fingertips of the Pilgrims.The Pilgrims would be able to focus better on their spiritual journey and forget about mundane tasks like travel, luggage, documents etc. The App offers solutions to common problems faced by the pilgrims during their journey and will be a boon especially to those performing Haj for the first time in their life.
The Haj Suvidha App will further ensure better access to facilities by the pilgrims and better administrative coordination and control with prompt grievance redressal and emergency response.