The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Special Haj flights from Oct. 30

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Special Haj flights from Oct. 30

Special Correspondent

HDFC to open six counters for issuing foreign exchange
GMR to give 50 p.c. discount on user charges for pilgrims

Hyderabad: Trial runs for the separate Haj terminal created at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, will commence on October 26. The GMR company has set up the Haj terminal, the first of its kind in the country, on the request of the State government. It will have facilities for prayers, restaurant and a dispensary for the pilgrims.

This was stated by Minister for Minorities’ Welfare, Mohd. Ali Shabbir, who reviewed arrangements for Haj 2008 with officials of different departments here on Monday.

He told presspersons later that the special Haj flights would carry 6,519 pilgrims from the State from October 30 to November 16. This would include the 115 wait-listed pilgrims.

Arrangements

The Immigration Department would set up six counters at the Haj House and two at the Shamshabad Airport. The HDFC Bank would open six counters for issuing foreign exchange to the pilgrims. The Haj camp would begin on October 20. This time water proof sheds would be set up in the Haj House premises to accommodate aged pilgrims. Three closed door Department Goods Transport vans of the RTC were being engaged to carry the pilgrims’ luggage to the airport, the Minister said.

He said the GMR had agreed to give a 50 per cent discount on the user charges of Rs. 1,070 for Haj pilgrims following a request by the government.

The pilgrims would be taken to the airport from Haj House six hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight. Representatives from GMR, Air India, Saudi Airlines, APTransco, HMWSSB, Immigration, Police, CISF, Customs, GHMS attended the review meeting.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh