By IANS,
Srinagar : The first direct flight from summer capital Srinagar to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) carrying this year’s Haj pilgrims would take off from here Oct 30, officials said Wednesday.
The direct Srinagar-Jeddah Haj flights would continue till Dec 2.
“Single flights will operate from Srinagar to Jeddah from 0ct 30 to Nov 12, 2008 while double Haj flights would operate from Nov 13 to Dec 2.
“The first flight will leave at 10.30 a.m. from Srinagar airport,” Kashmir divisional commissioner, Masuad Samoon said here.
Earlier, the divisional commissioner chaired a meeting at the local Haj House in Bemina city outskirts where arrangements and preparations for Haj 2008 were discussed.
The divisional commissioner also said the first batch of pilgrims would arrive back after performing the Haj Dec 14.
Today’s meeting also finalized arrangements for facilities like immigration clearance, customs clearance, and distribution of foreign exchange, lodging and boarding, transportation, and sanitation in and around Haj House, among others.
It was decided that as per past practice, no attendants would be allowed to enter Haj House in Bemina.
“Home guard volunteers would be assigned the job of carrying luggage of pilgrims at the Haj house and at the airport,” the officials said.
The local power development department would ensure uninterrupted electric power supply for the Haj House.
Security and other related arrangements were also given final touches at the meeting.