J&K Hajis distressed over road transport of luggage from Ahmedabad to Srinagar
KINS Correspondent
Srinagar, May 29 (KINS): A notification issued by the Hajj Committee of Jammu and Kashmir regarding transportation of pilgrims’ luggage from Ahmedabad to Srinagar by road has caused concern among Hajis scheduled to arrive from July 2 onwards.
Several pilgrims expressed distress over the decision, saying that essential items, particularly dates and other perishable goods brought from Saudi Arabia, may get damaged during the lengthy road journey.
“We have dates whose shelf life is low. They may get degraded if transported by road,” a Haji told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) over the phone, expressing disappointment over the arrangement.
The pilgrims also alleged that despite paying one of the highest Hajj package costs in the country, they are being subjected to inconvenience during their return journey.
According to the notification issued by the Hajj Committee J&K, the arrangement has been made due to the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and instructions regarding landing of aircraft carrying heavy loads at Srinagar Airport. The notification states that while pilgrims will fly from Ahmedabad to Srinagar, most of their luggage will be transported separately by road.
It further said that immigration and customs clearance of all pilgrims will be completed at Ahmedabad itself before departure to Srinagar.
“To ensure a smooth journey, pilgrims are requested to strictly follow the guidelines,” the notification reads.
As per the advisory, each pilgrim will be allowed to carry only one hand baggage weighing up to 7 kilograms and check-in baggage of only 5 kilograms for the Ahmedabad-Srinagar flight.
The notification added that extra baggage beyond 5 kilograms, up to a maximum of 30 kilograms per pilgrim, will be transported by road from Ahmedabad to Srinagar.
Pilgrims travelling in the same cover group have also been advised to keep their Srinagar check-in baggage together to facilitate easier handling and transportation.
The Hajj Committee further directed that no single piece of check-in luggage should weigh more than 22 kilograms.
The road-transported luggage, according to the notification, can later be collected by pilgrims from Haj House Srinagar once it reaches there.
A senior official of J&K Hajj Committee said that they issued the notification after receiving directives from the government. (KINS)
