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Two more gateways to be opened for Haj pilgrims

Two more gateways will be opened at Ahmedabad and Cochin this year for Haj pilgrims, apart from the five existing ones at Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Madras and Calcutta.

Speaking at the inauguration of the permanent Haj terminal at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday evening, Minister of state for Civil Aviation Chaman Lal Gupta said the fare being charged from the pilgrims this year had been kept at same level -- Rs 12,000 -- as 1994. This time 72,000 pilgrims will be making to Mecca, an increase of 10,000 since last year.

On every Haj flight, two Indian-speaking persons will be provided to facilitate the pilgrims. Uniforms of cabin crew will be as per Haj standards, he added.

Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav, while inaugurating the terminal, said Indian Hajis spend their life savings for this occasion and there are million others who never get the opportunity to go on Haj. He said far more arrangements would be made for Haj pilgrims in the near future.

Presiding over the function, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Delhi is the most important centre for the Haj pilgrims as 57 Air India flights carrying approximately 26,278 pilgrims would be leaving from here. There will be two flights taking off every day carrying 470 passengers this year.

Arrangements for assembling of the pilgrims have been made in the new terminal, adjacent to the cargo terminal, she added.

Former Delhi chief minister and member of Parliament Sahib Singh Verma asked the pilgrims to pray not only for themselves and their families but for the nation as well.

UNI

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