NewzVille Desk
A total of 4,704 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will undertake the annual Hajj pilgrimage this year, with the majority scheduled to depart through Srinagar embarkation.
Executive Officer of the Hajj Committee, Shujat Ahmed, informed that 3,990 pilgrims, including 323 from Ladakh, will travel from Srinagar, while around 1,000 will depart via Delhi and 50 through Mumbai.
Hajj flights from Srinagar are scheduled to commence on May 18 and continue for about 10 to 15 days, with the final departure expected around May 28, subject to minor changes.
He said Saudi authorities have introduced stricter health screening norms this year, leading to some applicants with serious medical conditions being declared unfit. Additionally, self-cooking facilities in areas such as Azizia have been discontinued.
Pilgrims will be provided smartwatches with SIM-based data for monitoring, replacing earlier wristbands.
Due to ongoing maintenance at Srinagar airport, flight capacity has been reduced, necessitating refuelling halts in Delhi. Aircraft that usually carry 189 passengers will now operate with around 145, while baggage allowance has been reduced from 40 kg to 25 kg.
Officials said pilgrims from Jammu division and Ladakh will be accommodated at Hajj House Srinagar before departure, where immigration formalities will also be completed prior to onward travel to Madinah.
