By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Mumbai: Under the revised agreement between Hajj Committee of India and Saudi Arabian Airlines Indian Hajis will be provided with 5 litre cans of Zamzam water on their return to India. Previous year Hajis could bring 10-litre of Zamam along with their belongings while returning from Saudi Arabia.
As per the understanding with Hajj Committee of India, Saudi Arabian Airlines will carry these cans on their return flights after disembarking Hajis at Jeddah airport’s Hajj Terminal, Arab News reported couple of days before.
Arab News also reports that the specially packaged Zamzam water cans, provided by the government-run Zamzam Packaging Factory in Kudai, Makkah, will be stored at various points in India which will be delivered to the Hajis once they return from Saudi Arabia after the pilgrimage.
The arrangements have been made to lessen the difficulties of Hajis who already have heavy luggage with them during return. Such arrangement is expected to help airlines in managing load during return journey.
The arrangement was put into place last year. However, at that time, only Saudi Arabian Airlines was able to implement it. This year, Air India too is expected to follow the same procedure, the report said.
Of the 136,020 Indian pilgrims arriving this year, 100,020 would be coming through the Hajj Committee of India. Saudi Arabian Airlines will carry 49,230 while Air India will transport 50,790 from 21 embarkation points. The remaining 36,000 pilgrims will come through private tour operators.
“Negotiations were in progress with Air India about transporting Zamzam containers on return flights, following the Saudia model, Indian Consul General BS Mubarak was quoted as saying by Arab News.
“There are certain issues back home in India, but we are very optimistic that this will be sorted out, and Air India too will follow the Saudia pattern,” he said.
“Pilgrims leaving from Makkah or Madinah will not need to carry their luggage to Jeddah or Madinah airports. It will be collected by the airlines from the pilgrims’ accommodation in the two holy cities 24 hours in advance,” said Mubarak. “This makes it easier for the pilgrims because they are free to travel with only their hand luggage.”
Present arrangement is anticipated to remove inconveniences or delays caused due to luggage as observed by the airline authorities in last few years.
Indian Hajj pilgrims will be provided with hi-tech facilities this year
Nearly 1,40,000 Indian Hajj pilgrims are expected to go to Saudi Arabia this year who will be benefited by several high-tech apps, including Google Maps, to facilitate hassle-free pilgrimage.
As per Indian Hajj Mission, the plan is to use every available tool and gadget to keep pilgrims in their loop of communication.
“We will make use of every form of new-age technology, from Google Maps and smartphone applications, to Facebook, YouTube clips and text messages, to make the journey of our pilgrims as comfortable as possible,” Indian Consul General B S Mubarak was quoted as saying by Arab News.
“One of the major problems that Indian pilgrims encounter during Haj is losing their way and being unable to find their accommodation, especially in the tent city of Mina, which is where most of the rituals are conducted,” Mubarak said.
An Internet-based, user-friendly smartphone application that is compatible with both Android and Apple operating systems has been launched to address this issue. Special application for the purpose is named as “Indian Haji Accommodation Locator”.
“Once downloaded, all you have to do is click on the app’s icon and enter any pilgrim’s cover number or passport number and you will get comprehensive details about their accommodation, including building number, tent number or maktab(office) number, plus an easy-to-follow satellite or a regular road map that will lead you to their location, whether in Makkah, Mina or Madinah,” Mubarak said.
The consul general said every pilgrim coming from India is provided with a Saudi cellphone SIM card which they activate upon arrival.
The first Indian Hajj flight will arrive in Madinah on August 27 from Kolkata, while the first flight in Jeddah will arrive on September 7 from Aurangabad in Maharashtra.