Special Terminal For Haj Pilgrims

Minority Welfare Minister SM Ahmedullah revealed on Tuesday that the GMR Group had promised to provide a special terminal for Haj pilgrims at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad.

Talking to media persons after convening a meeting with Haj Committee Chairman, Syed Khaleeluddin Ahmed, Ahmedullah stated that the APSHC had finalised arrangements for the smooth conduct of Haj Camp - 2010.

The Haj Camp will help create awareness among the prospective Hajis about the rituals to be performed during the annual pilgrimage.

Facilities like customs clearance, immigration, security, issue of foreign exchange to Haj pilgrims, air ticketing, vaccination, screening of baggage and other facilities were being provided at Haj house, the Minister revealed.

All matters concerning Haj Camp were discussed minutely with officials representing various departments. It was informed that only 100 passports were to be cleared by the passport office.

According to the Minister, Hyderabad was declared as embarkation point by the Government of India during 2001 to facilitate the Hajis from Andhra Pradesh. He said that every year, the State Haj Committee made all arrangements for the accommodation of Haj pilgrims and provided all the required formalities at one place for the smooth departure of Haj pilgrims.

For Haj-2010, the flights are scheduled for departure from October 24th to November 6th, directly from Hyderabad to Madina by the Saudi Arabian Airlines. The Haj Camp starts from October 22nd.

The Saudi Arabian authorities informed that pilgrims will be allowed to carry a maximum weight of 45 Kg including 10 Kg of Hand Carry, while a can of 10 Kg, containing the holy Zam Zam water will be allowed extra in the return journey. The weight of the bags/suit cases should not exceed 23 Kg each. Purchase of Zam Zam will be the responsibility of the pilgrims, according to the rules.

The GMR Authorities assured all the best possible arrangements for the pilgrims and the visitors at the airport. Facilities for Wadu (ablution) and the prayers will be provided at the airport.

The customs officials informed that while the custom clearance would be made at the airport, special counters will be set up at the Haj house as per previous practice.

The GHMC will depute necessary staff and workers for sanitation work in and around the Haj house during the Haj Camp while the HMWSSB will supply drinking water and make arrangements for sewer line cleaning.

The Institute Of Preventive Medicine promised to make arrangements for inoculation of meningitis vaccine to all the pilgrims of the state, including pilgrims of private tour operators.

The Police Department is to make security arrangements at the Haj Camp and provide immigration facility at the airport. R and B department will erect barricades in and around Haj house during Haj Camp.

The AP State Wakf Board will not only depute its employees and provide watch and guard round the clock but also engage private security agency as per last year's practice on rental basis.

The APSRTC will provide DGT vans for transportation of luggage of the pilgrims and deploy necessary buses for the pilgrims from Haj House to the airport.

Princess Esra hospital will provide inoculation of meningitis vaccine at Haj house and DHMO will issue polio and other vaccines to Haj pilgrims.

Ahmedullah also revealed that he expected Chief Minister K Rosaiah to flag off first batch of Haj pilgrims from the Haj house.

Courtesy: INN