The airfare for pilgrimages, traveling to Hajj, is likely to increase by around 20% this year, as expected by the officials of the Hajj Committee Of India.

Haj Committee of India Chief Executive Officer, Ata-ur-Rahman, said, the reason for the rise in the airfare is on account of the gradual phasing out of the Haj subsidy, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

“We are expecting a rise by at least 15,000 in terms of airfare. However, the final figure is yet to be finalized. We will get to know about the airfare, in the coming weeks”, said the Executive Officer.

The airfare last year, was Rs. 56,000, and it is likely to go up by around Rs. 71,000, according to Telangana State Hajj Committee (TSHC) sources.

The impact of the hike in airfare will be felt on the total Hajj fare package.

Last year, the total Hajj package was Rs. 2,20,550 for green category accommodation and Rs. 1,86,850 for Azizia category accommodation.

Both are likely to be affected by the expected hike.

Meanwhile, the TSHC committee has instructed selected pilgrims of Telangana to deposit the first hajj installment of Rs. 81,000 in the account of the Haj Committee of India on or before April 5.

They have even been asked to submit bank Challan receipts and original passports, photographs, and medical screening and fitness certificates to the TSHC.

Hajj aspirants have to likely shell out extra money this year!

In January of this year, the Hajj for Bangladeshis, have gone up this year as taka has fallen against the Saudi Arabian Riyal and US dollar.

Each pilgrim had to pay at least Tk 14,000 (INR 11,431.41) to Tk 21,000 (INR 17,147.43), which was more than last year.

By Supraja