A group of 90 Haj pilgrims from Goa will travel to Mumbai in sleeper coaches before boarding flights to Saudi Arabia on May 14 under arrangements made by the Goa government.
The pilgrims will depart from the AIM School complex at Rumdamol and will be transported to the Haj House in Mumbai by sleeper coaches arranged by the state government.
A second batch of pilgrims is expected to leave later this week from the SGPDA grounds in Margao. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP Goa president Damu Naik are expected to flag off the Haj pilgrimage.
Addressing the media, Goa Haj Committee chairman Urfan Mulla said the decision to arrange sleeper coaches was taken after difficulties faced by pilgrims during previous journeys.
“Last time around, the Haj pilgrims embarked on a train journey, but they had to face hardships in Mumbai. This time, the Goa government has arranged sleeper coaches in order to tide over the difficulties in Mumbai,” he said.
Mulla said the pilgrims would return to Goa by train after completing the pilgrimage.
He also appealed to people undertaking Haj to use the facilities provided through the government instead of private tour operators.
“The cost of undertaking the pilgrimage through private operators is more than what is being offered by the government. Hence, people should avail themselves of the government facilities for a cheap and safe pilgrimage,” he added.
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