Haj Committee geared up for smooth departure of pilgrims

Hyderabad, Oct 28 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee has geared up for the smooth departure of over 7000 pilgrims of the state going for the Haj 2008.

Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Minister for Energy, Coal and Minorities Welfare, and looks after the Haj Committee, reviewed the entire arrangements of the Haj Camp at the Haj House here with members and officials of the Haj Committee this evening and instructed to ensure flawless planning for smooth departure of the Haj pilgrims.

He said 'No difficulty at any stage should arise for the pilgrims'.

The Minister would flag off the first Special chartered flight of Saudi Airlines, with 300 pilgrims, on October 30 from Rajiv Gandhi Internation Airport. The pilgrims had already started reporting at the Haj Camp. There would be altogether 23 flights till November 16 and the pilgrims would have to report at the Haj camp 48 hours before their scheduled departure time.

A team from Haj Committee of India had already arrived at Hyderabad to assist the State Haj Committee for departure of the pilgrims, a release said.

Meningitis Vaccination programme for the pilgrims was almost over, however the vaccination for the remaining few pilgrims would be carried out during the Haj Camp by the medical teams of Princess Esra Hospital, Hyderabad.

A separate temporary shed was installed to accommodate as many as 200 pilgrims at the ground floor, on the land adjacent to the Haj House, while the accommodation on the upper floors of the Haj house would remain intact. Twenty toilets had been provided at two sides of the camp for the pilgrims accommodated in the shed. Separate arrangements were made for the lady pilgrims.

Free good and accommodation to the pilgrims from districts was being provided, while RTC buses would carry the pilgrims to the airport from the Haj Camp after completion of all the formalities relating to the journey. An exclusive Haj terminal at the airport had been constructed for the pilgrims with all the amenities such as place for prayers, washroom, bathrooms, Haj committee control room besides medical facilities.

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