Srinagar, June 1 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Centre to intervene and ensure the timely transportation of baggage belonging to Haj pilgrims returning to the Union Territory from Saudi Arabia.
In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Abdullah highlighted the difficulties faced by pilgrims due to delays in the delivery of their checked-in baggage.
The Chief Minister said that because of ongoing maintenance work and operational constraints at Srinagar Airport, the baggage of returning pilgrims is reportedly being transported separately and routed by road from Ahmedabad, leading to significant delays.
He noted that many of the pilgrims are elderly and undertake the Haj pilgrimage after years of preparation and devotion. The delay in receiving their belongings has caused inconvenience and disappointment to them and their families, he said.
Abdullah also stressed the religious and social importance of the baggage, which often contains Zamzam water, dates and other items traditionally distributed among relatives, neighbours and well-wishers upon return from Haj. The delays, he said, have disrupted these long-standing customs associated with the pilgrimage.
Seeking the Union Minister’s intervention, the Chief Minister requested that arrangements be made to ensure pilgrims’ baggage is transported safely and simultaneously with them on the same flights to Jammu and Kashmir.
He expressed hope that an early resolution of the issue would ease the hardships faced by returning pilgrims and help preserve the sanctity of items carrying deep religious and sentimental significance.(NVI)
