By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Direct Haj-2013 flights from Bhopal will start from September 26 and the last flight from the city to Jeddah would take off on October 1.
Preparations at war-footing are underway at the historic Taj-ul-Masajid campus which is being turned into Haj Transit Camp in the absence of a regular Haj House in Bhopal. It may be mentioned here that after long last the Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Government has sanctioned Bhopal Haj House and it is under construction about two kilometres away from the airport.
Necessary arrangements are being made at Bhopal Haj Transit Point to provide better facilities to pilgrims for Haj-2013 and sending them to embarkation point. Arrival of Haj pilgrims and their families at Haj Transit Camp on premises of Taj-ul-Masajid will commence from September 23. First Haj flight from Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport will take off for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on September 26. The last flight will take off on October 1. All necessary arrangements have been made to facilitate Haj pilgrims at Haj Transit Camp for sending to Bhopal airport. For this, responsibility has been entrusted to various departments.
All arrangements regarding Haj Transit Camp and sending Haj pilgrims to Bhopal airport will be completed by September 22. Bhopal Municipal Corporation is constructing temporary toilets and bathrooms in the camp premises. Daily bus facility will be available for carrying Haj pilgrims from transit camp to the airport. Arrangements of trucks have also been made to carry luggage of pilgrims to airport. Responsibility for security arrangements, parking, traffic control, metal detector and installation of other security equipments has been entrusted to Bhopal Superintendent of Police. Custom Commissioner and DIG Immigration have been given responsibility of complete formalities of customs and immigration before departure of pilgrims for Haj.
Director, Airport Authority of India, Bhopal will ensure arrangements for Haj pilgrims at the airport and regulate flights as per directives of Central Haj Committee and Foreign Ministry. Besides, free parking facility will also be provided for people who will come to see off pilgrims. Arrangements of canopy, place to offer Namaz, drinking water, seating, toilet etc. will also be made outside the airport for such visitors. Security of Haj pilgrims at the airport will be ensured by Deputy Commandant CISF.
Manager Air India will manage flights. Arrangements of doctors, necessary medicines, medicare and other necessary facilities for Haj pilgrims have been made at Raja Bhoj Airport from 3 hours before till flight take-off. Its responsibility has been entrusted to Chief Medical & Health Officer, Bairagarh, Bhopal.
Various departments have been made responsible to ensure lighting arrangements, medical camp, 24-hour ambulance, medicare, generator, sanitation, drinking water facility, bathroom & toilet, deployment of fire brigade etc.