Travel agents are happy that Chennai is once again an embarkation point for the Haj pilgrimage.
What’s it about? Travel operators specialising in Haj and Umrah pilgrimages are relieved that Chennai is re-designated as an embarkation city to ease the movement of pilgrims from the state. Since the pandemic began, pilgrims have been asked to go to Kochi for their flights to Saudi Arabia.
- Until 2019, pilgrims from the state and Puducherry used to begin their journey from Chennai, but this was halted due to the pandemic.
- Chennai will once again be one of the 25 embarkation cities in India for pilgrims. Private operators have said the earlier allocation of pilgrim quotas will help accelerate arrangements for pilgrims.
Who said what? A Badruddin of Dolphin Air Service said prices have increased since the pandemic. Trips to Saudi start from ₹5 lakh as part of arrangements made for pilgrimages in Mecca and other Saudi cities. Nawaz, a private operator, suggested adding Tiruchi as an embarkation point due to its good air connectivity.