Bangalore, Aug 21: The first flight carrying Haj pilgrims to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will take off from Mangalore airport on August 27, said Minister for Haj, Wakfs Roshan Baig.
Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday after attending a review meeting in this regard with the airport authorities, immigration and customs officials, and the police, the Minister said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has been invited to flag off the inaugural flight.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would flag off the flight on September 12 for Bangalore Haj aspirants.
A total of six teams would leave from Mangalore airport from August 27 to September 1 while 16 teams, each team consisting of 235 Haj pilgrims would travel from Bangalore by a direct flight through the Haj committee.
Baig said the pilgrims could access four embarkation points, including two outside the State.
While pilgrims from across the State can access the Bangalore embarkation point, those from Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Udupi, Hassan and Chikmagalur can access the Mangalore embarkation point.
Pilgrims from Gulbarga, Yadgir, Bidar and Raichur can access the Hyderabad embarkation point, and people from Belgaum and Uttara Kannada can access the Goa embarkation point.
All the pilgrims will have to undergo vaccination and orientation programmes, the minister said.
Haj pilgrims from India should take precautionary measures against ebola virus, which is spreading from African countries to other parts of the world, during their pilgrimage. He said training has been given to Haj pilgrims in this regard.
Fresh food will be served to those staying in Medina for seven days. It is from next year onwards that the food will be served in Mecca as well, he said.
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