21 embarkation points have been identified to cater to around 1.25 lakh Muslims - out of a total of 1.7 lakh Muslims - from India who will perform the annual Haj pilgrimage through the Haj Committee this year.
This was revealed by the Centre after the Union Cabinet, on Thursday, gave its approval to various issues concerning the Haj 2010 operations.
The number of pilgrims who can perform Haj during a particular year is decided by the Saudi Arabian Government.
Air travel arrangements for these 1.25 lakh pilgrims will be made by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. These pilgrims will be carried from 21 embarkation points through chartered flights.
Bhopal and Goa have been added as new embarkation points this year.
This year, each pilgrim who will travel through the Haj Committee of India will pay Rs. 16,000, besides airport charges, as air fare and the balance air fare will be borne by the government.
Most of the pilgrims will be carried by Saudi Arabian Airlines, National Private Air Services Company Limited (NAS) and Al-Wafeer Air, which have been selected through a sealed tender process.