First phase of Haj House in Kashmir to be completed by Oct-end

Srinagar, Oct 10 (UNI) The first phase of under-construction Haj House here would be completed by this month-end to enable the intending pilgrims to avail themselves of the facilities at the complex this year.

This was informed to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who visited Bemina to inspect pace of work on the Haj House coming up at a cost of Rs 10.50 crore.

The first phase of the project, comprising four common facility blocks, would be completed by the month end. The total land area of the complex is 50 kanals (2.5 hectares).

Mr Azad visited different sections of the complex and asked the executing agency concerned to speed up the work on the project. The Haj House would be made functional from November this year with pilgrims proceeding to Jeddah from here after completing custom, immigration and boarding card formalities, he added.

Mr Azad said the Haj House would emerge as an iconic site in the city and serve as a single point facility centre for the pilgrims.

The Chief Minister also visited Hazratbal shrine, housing the holy relic of the Prophet Mohammad, to oversee arrangements for Jumat-ul-Wida and Eid and inspect expansion works in the premises.

Accompanied by senior officials, he enquired about development works being undertaken to upgrade the ambience of the shrine and expand space to accommodate more people during prayers.

The Chief Minister also met locals, including those house owners whose structures were being removed under the expansion programme, and listened to their problems. He asked the officials concerned to look and try to resolve their problems immediately so that the land acquisition and expansion work was completed soon.

UNI