Union Minister, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, has announced that the government is mulling over on resuming sea route option to Hajj from India. The sea route between Mumbai and Jeddah was discontinued in 1995 and the government now wants to resume it.
Naqvi said that this was a “revolutionary and pilgrim-friendly decision” of sea travel and will be cheaper than flying to Saudi Arabia.
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He said,
A high-level committee, formed by the government to frame the Haj Policy 2018 as per the Supreme Court’s 2012 order, is exploring the issue for sending pilgrims via the sea route to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
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A committee has been set up and shall submit the report soon. Naqvi also said that the ships are now modern and can ferry 4,000 to 5,000 passengers in one go. He commented,
They can cover the 2,300-odd nautical miles between Mumbai and Jeddah in just two-three days. Earlier, ships used to take 12 to 15 days to cover this distance.
The new policy is aimed at making the Hajj easier and transparent for the pilgrims. The new policy will be formed in accordance with recommendations from the Shipping Ministry and will ensure world-class facilities for the pilgrims.
