MAMED takes initiative to ease trip of Haj pilgrims

Kolkata: The Minority Affairs and Madrasha Education (MAMED) department has taken a unique step to issue boarding pass to the Haj pilgrims outside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

The initiative was taken by MAMED after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed the department to ensure hassle-free journey for the Haj pilgrims. This is the first time that such a measure has been taken.

Accordingly, the department took up the matter with the Airports Authority of India and Air India, said P B Salim, secretary, MAMED. A huge pandal has been put up beside the Haj House in New Town, where Air India has installed two X Ray machines, 8 weighing machines, 8 check-in counters and counters to deal with immigration formalities.

The luggage of the Haj pilgrims will be checked and sent to the airport. The passengers will be taken to the airport an hour before departure of the flight, in buses provided by MAMED. Over 13,000 Haj pilgrims will travel in 2018.

Every year, the Haj pilgrims, known as the Hajis and their relatives who come to the city to accompany them, are greatly inconvenienced as the AAI does not allow those who accompany them to get inside the departure lounge. The Hajis stand in long queues to check-in their luggage, to get the boarding passes and clear immigration formalities. This creates trouble for other passengers.

Because of the initiative taken by MAMED, the friends and relatives of the Hajis can now go inside the departure lounge. Many Hajis come from the distrists and they are put up at the Haj House, along with their friends and relatives.

Housing and Infrastructure Development department (HIDCO) and New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) have repaired the roads and levelled the ground where the pandal has been put up. The sweeping of the road, solid waste management and drinking water have been provided by NKDA. Special lighting arrangement has been made near the Haj House. Salim said foolproof arrangements have been done and the Hajis can travel without any hassle.