GUWAHATI: MP Badaruddin Ajmal wrote to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, requesting him to make arrangements for direct chartered flights between Guwahati and Saudi Arabia for the Haj pilgrims from the religion.
In the letter, Ajmal mentioned that the cancellation of the direct flights due to the bankruptcy of the airline has triggered anxiety among the pilgrims. And now the pilgrims from the region have to travel to their destination via Delhi or Mumbai. Mentioning that it has put the pilgrims, especially the elderly ones and those visiting for the first time, in total distress. He added that if a particular airline becomes unable to handle the transfers for some reason, alternative airlines can be arranged for that purpose so that the passengers can move directly from Guwahati.
He added that now the passengers have to travel to Delhi or Mumbai on other flights, which will involve problems including check-in luggage and customs clearance at the airports. He also pointed out the long waiting time at the airports before they can board the international flight and that these problems will arise on the return journey as well.
Following this, the MP requested the chief minister consult the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Central Haj Committee of India so that arrangements can be made regarding an alternative airline for the pilgrims and protect them from hardship and trouble.
The Haj Pilgrim Reception Committee had announced that the Haj pilgrimage this year will start on June 4, with the first batch of pilgrims leaving on the same date. Nekibur Zaman, the chairman of the Joint State Haj Committee, Assam, Meghalaya, etc., as well as the reception committee, said that 6302 pilgrims from the region will be visiting Jeddah this year.
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