(a) the number of Haj Pilgrims expected to undertake Haj Pilgrimage this year;
(b) the date by which the flights for ferrying Haj Pilgrims are expected to start;
(c) the places from where these Haj flights will orginate; and
(d) other details in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK )
(a): Approximately 72,000 pilgrims are expected to undertake haj pilgrimage in 2003.
(b): Haj flights are scheduled to start from 4th January, 2003.
(c) and (d):Haj flights will be operated from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Nagpur, Gaya (to connect over Kolkata) and Srinagar. Air India, Indian Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines will ferry haj pilgrims from India to Jeddah and back from 4.1.2003.