Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday sought the intervention of Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu to ensure timely and secure transportation of baggage for Hajj pilgrims returning to the Union territory.
The appeal comes amid reports of delays due to ongoing maintenance works and operational constraints at the Srinagar airport. The checked-in baggage of the pilgrims could not be transported on the same flights carrying them back, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
“Chief minister has written to Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, seeking urgent intervention to ensure the timely and secure transportation of checked-in baggage belonging to Haj pilgrims returning to Jammu and Kashmir,” the CMO posted on its official X handle.
Abdullah, in the letter to the minister, said the pilgrims — many of whom are elderly and have undertaken this spiritual journey after years of devotion — expressed concern regarding the arrangements made for the transportation of their checked-in baggage upon their return.
“It is 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.
“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,” the chief minister said.
He said the situation has caused disappointment and inconvenience to the returning pilgrims 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 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 Hajj,” he said.
Abdullah said he is seeking Naidu’s intervention for transportation of baggage of the Hajj pilgrims safely and concurrently with the pilgrims on the same flights to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The timely and secure transportation of their baggage would not only avoid genuine hardships presently experienced by the pilgrims and their families but would also preserve the sanctity of items having deep religious and sentimental significance,” he added.
MoMA clarifies Haj baggage curbs for Srinagar pilgrims amid runway repair constraints
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) on Monday issued a clarification regarding the baggage restrictions imposed on Haj pilgrims returning to Srinagar, stating that the measures were necessitated by runway maintenance and operational limitations at Srinagar Airport.
In a post on X, the Ministry said that a NOTAM issued for Srinagar Airport, coupled with ongoing runway maintenance work, had resulted in temporary runway length restrictions. This, it said, compelled authorities to impose payload limitations on aircraft operations in the interest of flight safety.
The Ministry stated that to avoid disruption to Haj flight schedules and minimise inconvenience to pilgrims, return Haj flights operated by Akasa Airlines for the Srinagar embarkation point have been routed via Ahmedabad.
Under the arrangement, pilgrims will be permitted to carry up to 35 kilograms of check-in baggage up to Ahmedabad. However, on the Ahmedabad–Srinagar sector, only 5 kilograms of check-in baggage per pilgrim will be allowed onboard, while the remaining 30 kilograms will be transported separately by road to Srinagar. The cabin baggage allowance will remain unchanged.
“These arrangements have been necessitated solely by airport operational constraints and aviation safety requirements,” the Ministry said, adding that the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Haj Committee of India, and J&K Haj Committee are coordinating with all stakeholders to ensure the safe and smooth return of pilgrims.
