By PIB
New Delhi: On Wedensday, The Minister of Civil Aviation, Praful Patel held a meeting with Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi, Member of Parliament and Chairman, Hajj Committee of India and other senior officials to review the on-going Haj-2007 operations. The Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ashok Chawla, CMD, Air India, Shri V. Thulasidas, CEO, Hajj Committee of India Shri Mohd. Owais and other senior officials from Air India and Ministry of Civil Aviation participated in the discussions.
The meeting took stock of the on-going second phase of Hajj operations and noted with concern that there have been some delays in the arrival of flights carrying the Hajis on their return journey from Saudi Arabia by Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air India. It was also noted that for almost all stations, there have been delays in the delivery of baggage. There have also been constraints in carrying the Zamzam water leading to some backlog on this count also.
After a detailed review of the operations, it was decided that Air India would, within 24 hours, notify a detailed schedule indicating the plan for delivery of the baggage and Zamzam water including the backlog. A date-wise and destination-wise plan will be drawn up indicating thereof the details of delivery of baggage and Zamzam water including the backlog till date. This plan will be furnished to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Hajj Committee of India and will be displayed at all the disembarkation points for widest possible dissemination to the Hajj pilgrims so that the inconvenience on this account is minimized.
It was also decided that the Ministry of Civil Aviation will coordinate with the Saudi Arabian Airlines to facilitate the drawing up of a similar plan for delivery of baggage and Zamzam water. Likewise, CGI, Jeddah would also be requested to facilitate the transportation of the remaining Hajj pilgrims along with their baggage and Zamzam water.
The Minister, Civil Aviation also suggested that certain remedial measures should be taken to ensure that future Hajj operations are smooth and orderly. One such measure decided upon was that Air India should go in for a long-term lease of wide-bodied aircraft with a view to ensuring timely availability of the suitable aircraft as well as to bring down the cost of operations.
Air India renewed its commitment to undertake the Hajj operations, which are carried out in larger national interest and urged all concerned for their cooperation and understanding in ensuring the success of the operations. Air India also expressed regret for delays and inconveniences which may have been caused to some of the pilgrims and assured that with the finalization of the above plan, the baggage and Zamzam water would be delivered within the shortest possible time.