Indian Haj 2009 operations to commence from October 20

New Delhi, Oct 19 (ANI): The Government on Monday said the Haj operations 2009 would commence from October 20 and conclude on January 1, 2010.

The number of Haj pilgrims would be approximates 1,23,211 under the Government subsidy scheme.

Every Haj pilgrim would pay only Rs.16,000/- as fare and the remaining fare would be borne by the Government of India.

The Haj operations would be carried out from 19 embarkation points as against 17 last year.

Two new embarkation points that have been added this year at Ranchi and Mangalore in order to facilitate travel of Haj pilgrims from the States of Jharkhand and Karnataka.

The pilgrims would travel on Air India, Saudi Arabian Airlines and National Air Services of Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is entrusted with the responsibility of providing air travel facility to Haj pilgrims sponsored by Haj Committee of India. (ANI)