KARGIL: Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday informed that all 240 Hajj pilgrims from Ladakh union territoty will depart from Srinagar on 15th May.
The prompt action was taken by the Ministry, after CEC LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, contacted Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju regarding the concerns of Ladakhi Haj pilgrims.
It was conveyed from the Minister’s office that the issue is resolved, ‘240 pilgrims will depart from Srinagar on 15th May.’
Meanwhile, the JK Haj Committee has assured that all affected pilgrims will be accommodated once logistical arrangements are finalised.
And disruptions in air travel due to airport closures have left at least 2,240 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir stranded. This has prompted the JK Haj Committee to consider operating additional flights to clear the backlog.
Since pilgrims from Ladakh are set to depart from Srinagar, Executive Officer of the J&K Haj Committee, Dr Shujhat Qureshi, said that while pilgrims scheduled to depart on May 14 and 15 will travel as planned, efforts are underway to accommodate those unable to fly earlier due to the situation.
The ones scheduled will go first. Those who could not travel earlier will be accommodated if an additional flight is arranged, Dr Qureshi said.
The Hajj flight from Srinagar, originally slated for May 7 with 320 pilgrims onboard, was cancelled following airspace disruptions amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Since then, flights have been cancelled daily, with the most recent cancellation on May 12.
According to official data, a total of 2,240 pilgrims are currently awaiting rebooking after their flights were cancelled over the past week. The Committee is in talks with relevant agencies to arrange special flights to clear the backlog.
On May 6, tears, prayers and heartfelt farewells marked a deeply emotional morning at Kharul Hardass and Matayen Drass in Kargil as the final batch of around 100 to 120 Hajj pilgrims from Kargil District of the Union Territory of Ladakh were set forth on their sacred journey to the holy city of Makkah.
The group was formally flagged off by Chairperson of the Hajj Committee for UT Ladakh, Mohd Ali Majaz along with Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kargil, Imteeaz Kacho.
All Hajj pilgrims from Kargil District and first batch of Ladakh were scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia from Srinagar International Airport on May 9. In 2025, a total of 242 Hajj pilgrims will be traveling from Ladakh to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
