Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu over difficulties being faced by Haj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia to Jammu and Kashmir after performing the annual pilgrimage.
In his letter, Omar said the pilgrims, many of whom are elderly and have undertaken the spiritual journey after years of devotion, preparation and aspiration, have expressed “considerable concern regarding the arrangements made for the transportation of their checked-in baggage upon their return.”
“It has been learnt that due to ongoing maintenance works and operational constraints at Srinagar Airport, the checked-in baggage of the pilgrims could not be transported on the same flights carrying them back to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
“The baggage is being routed separately and transported by road from Ahmedabad, which is expected to result in a significant delay in its delivery to the pilgrims after their arrival,” Omar added.
The Chief Minister said the situation has caused considerable disappointment and inconvenience to the returning Hajis and their families.
“It is customary for pilgrims to distribute Zamzam water, dates and other religious offerings among relatives, neighbours and well-wishers immediately upon their arrival. The delay in the delivery of baggage has, therefore, not only caused practical difficulties but has also adversely affected the observance of cherished religious and social traditions associated with Haj,” Omar said.
Seeking intervention to ensure the baggage of Haj pilgrims returning to J&K is transported safely and concurrently with them on the same flights, the Chief Minister said the timely and secure transportation of their belongings “would not only avoid the genuine hardships presently experienced by the pilgrims and their families but would also preserve the sanctity of items having deep religious and sentimental significance.”
“I shall be grateful for an early and favourable consideration of the matter,” he said.
Limitations imposed for flight safety: Authorities
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs said on Monday that due to a NOTAM issued for Srinagar Airport and ongoing runway maintenance resulting in temporary runway-length restrictions, payload limitations have been imposed on aircraft operations in the interest of flight safety.
In a statement posted on X, the ministry said that to avoid disruption to Haj flight schedules and minimise inconvenience to pilgrims, the return journey of Haj pilgrims operated by Akasa Air to the Srinagar Embarkation Point has been planned via Ahmedabad, with a 35-kg check-in baggage allowance up to Ahmedabad.
“Thereafter, 5 kg of check-in baggage per pilgrim will be carried on the Ahmedabad–Srinagar flight, while the remaining 30 kg baggage will be transported separately by road to Srinagar,” it said.
Noting that there is no change in the cabin baggage allowance, the ministry said these arrangements have been necessitated solely by airport operational constraints and aviation safety requirements.
“Safety cannot be compromised, and all decisions have been taken in the best interests of the pilgrims,” it said.
