Chief Secretary Directs D.Ms. Of Lucknow and Varanasi

The U.P. Chief Secretary, Mr. Javed Usmani, has directed the district magistrates of Lucknow and Varanasi to ensure that all concerning department in their respective district complete latest by Sept. 11 next, all the works and arrangements being made for Haj Pilgrims with regard to their embarkation for Saudi Arabia. In separate letters written to these officers today, the chief secretary told them to review the progress of these works and arrangements immediately by convening a meeting of the concerning departmental officers. In case some of the departments are to be directed from his level, it should be brought to his notice promptly.
The Chief Secretary has drawn the attention of both these officers towards the fact that this year 32,397 Haj pilgrims are going to Saudi Arabia for Haj from the state, out of which 11,653 will embark from Lucknow and 4,436 from Varanasi. He said that these Haj pilgrims will report  at least 48 hours before the time of their flights, to the Maulana Ali Miyan Memorial Haj House, Lucknow and the temporary Haj House being setup at the Gautam Buddha Trade Exhibition Centre, Varanasi.
Mr. Usmani said that according to the flight schedule of the Haj Committee of India, the Haj pilgrims will leave for Haj from Varanasi embarkation point between Sept. 20 and Oct. 05 next daily by a 250-seater flight, while from Lucknow embarkation point, the pilgrims will depart to Saudi Arabia for Haj between Sept. 17 and Oct. 05 next daily by 2-3 flights each with a 300 seating capacity. He said that as per flight schedule, at a time there will be Haj pilgrims of 2-3 flights and their attendants/companions at Haj House Lucknow and Varanasi from Sept. 14 next. In such a situation, it is very important to complete all the arrangements one week before commencement of Haj travel season and ensure availability of services being provided during the whole period of the season.

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