Srinagar, Apr 13 : A total of 4,704 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will depart for Hajj this year, with the majority scheduled to travel through Srinagar Embarkation, officials said on Monday
Executive Officer Hajj Committee, Dr Shujat Ahmed, said 3,990 pilgrims, including 323 from Ladakh, will depart from Srinagar, while around 1,000 will use Delhi Embarkation and 50 will travel via Mumbai.
He said as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) Hajj flights from Srinagar are scheduled to begin on April 18 and will continue for about 10–15 days, with the final departure expected around May 28, though minor changes in schedule are likely.
Ahmed said new regulations introduced by Saudi Arabia this year include stricter health screening, under which some applicants with serious medical conditions were declared unfit. He said self-cooking facilities have been discontinued for pilgrims in places like Azizia.
He added that pilgrims will be provided smartwatches equipped with SIM-based data for monitoring purposes, replacing earlier wristbands.
Due to ongoing maintenance at Srinagar airport, flight capacity has been reduced, leading to rescheduling and mandatory refuelling halts in Delhi. Aircraft carrying 189 passengers will now operate with around 145 passengers, while baggage allowance has been reduced from 40 kg to 25 kg.
Ahmed said pilgrims travelling from Jammu division and Ladakh will be provided accommodation at Hajj House Srinagar before departure.
He added that immigration formalities will be completed in Srinagar, after which flights will proceed to Madinah with a halt in Delhi for refuelling.(KNS).
