Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri today directed all the concerned Departments and agencies to work in synergy for making the Hajj-2025 a hassle free and seamless experience for the intending pilgrims.
Chairing a high level meeting to review the arrangements made for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, the Divisional Commissioner issued a slew of directions to the officers and instructed them to intensify preparations for the foolproof arrangements for the intending pilgrims and ensure their smooth departure.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of almost all the districts of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh UTs, Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Director Airports Authority of India besides officers and representatives from various line departments including Police, Emigration & Customs, R&B, PHE, KPDCL, MED, Traffic, Transport, Information, Hospitality & Protocol, Health, Haj Committee, Police, CISF, Airforce, J&K Bank and other concerned Agencies.
While highlighting the significance of Hajj, the Div Com urged the DCs to immediately activate the Hajj Cells in their respective offices to monitor all the preparations with respect to facilitation of pilgrims in their respective districts. He directed the Health department to establish medical camps for timely vaccination of pilgrims in their respective districts so that all the selected pilgrims are protected and certificates of vaccination are issued in their favour well in time.
The meeting was informed that this year Haj flights are scheduled to begin from May 4, 2025, from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia, with the final flight carrying pilgrims set to leave on May 15, 2025.
Underlining the need of sufficient Foreign Exchange at Banks, Haj House Bemina and Srinagar Airport, the Divisional Commissioner directed the J&K Bank authorities to ensure availability of adequate forex so that pilgrims don't face any inconvenience in obtaining Saudi currency.
The Div Com also directed PHE , KPDCL and SMC to ensure uninterrupted civil amenities at Haj House including electricity, sanitation & water supply. He also directed immediate repairs of interior roads for smooth riding surfaces. He also directed officials to make sufficient arrangements for boarding & lodging facilities at Haj House for the pilgrims from Jammu and Ladakh while factoring in road and weather conditions.
The Div Com asked the Customs & Immigration Departments to make special arrangements at the Airport for hassle-free clearance of the intending pilgrims by timely installation of adequate X-Ray machines and technical staff at Haj House.
To facilitate seamless movement of Haj Convoy vehicles, the Div Com directed the Traffic Department to chalk out a meticulous plan for smooth movement of pilgrim buses & luggage vehicles from Haj House Bemina to Srinagar Airport. He also instructed SSP Traffic Rural to ensure smooth movement of vehicles ferrying Haj pilgrims from Ladakh to Srinagar Haj House.
To ensure close coordination & synergy among departments, Div Com directed creating a dedicated Whatsapp group of the concerned officers for timely dissemination of information and updates regarding flights & other advisories.