SRINAGAR: A total of 3,624 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year, while a three-day vaccination drive is underway across all 20 districts of the Union Territory.
Executive Officer of the JK State Haj Committee, Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, said that out of the total, 3,300 pilgrims will travel via the Srinagar embarkation point. Among the rest, 480 will depart from Delhi, 10 from Mumbai, and 2 from Hyderabad.
Additionally, 242 pilgrims from Ladakh will also embark from Srinagar, he added.
He said the vaccination drive is being conducted on April 21, 22, and 23. “Pilgrims from remote areas can arrive at the Haj House in Bemina one or two days in advance, and all arrangements for their stay have been made,” Dr Qureshi said.
Regarding the flight schedule, he stated that on April 9 and 14, two flights are scheduled per day, while on other days, one flight will operate daily. Hajj departures will begin from May 4, and return flights are scheduled between June 17 and June 28.
Meanwhile, only 3,624 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are set to perform Hajj this year, a significant decrease from 7,008 in 2024 and 35,000 in 2017.
This 70% drop over two years is attributed to rising costs, the discontinuation of government subsidies, and logistical challenges.
A notable factor contributing to the decline is the 80% reduction in India’s private Hajj quota by Saudi Arabia, affecting over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, including many from Jammu and Kashmir. This abrupt decision has left numerous pilgrims in uncertainty. (KNO)
