First batch of Haj pilgrims to depart on July 31

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Haj Committee has made arrangements for conducting the Haj pilgrimage from the State to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The first flight of Haj pilgrims will depart from Shamshabad Airport, Hyderabad. A total of 342 Haj pilgrims from the State begin the journey at 3 pm on July 31 by an Air India flight. The Haj pilgrims can avail the Haj House facility at Hyderabad.

Due to political differences between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Haj pilgrims of AP were reluctant to stay at the Hyderabad Haj House for the last few years. Now, the Haj pilgrims can avail the flight booking confirmation facility in their mobile numbers. Consequently, the Haj pilgrims from coastal and Rayalaseema districts can begin their journey even before 10-12 hours after confirmation of their ticket.

Earlier, the pilgrims used to stay 48 hours in Hyderabad before boarding the flight. Now, due to latest technology, the pilgrims can get their ticket confirmation message hours before boarding the flight, said Amjad Basha, Minister for Minority Welfare, in a press release on Sunday.

He said if the pilgrims did not get ticket confirmation message, they can visit any internet centre to get information or take the help of Haj society offices in the respective districts.

Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee Executive officer Tajuddin Arif said all arrangements were made for the pilgrimage to Mecca. He said 207 pilgrims from Guntur district, 113 pilgrims from Krishna district, two from Visakhapatnam and 20 from West Godavari totalling 342 will depart on July 31 from Hyderabad. He said the flights to Mecca will depart from Hyderabad regularly from August 1 to 3.