Haj pilgrims from India will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 10,000 each this year due to a sharp increase in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, according to officials. The decision was taken by the Haj Committee of India after a meeting on Tuesday.
Reason for the Hike
The increase in airfare is attributed to the rise in ATF prices, which have gone up by nearly 20% in the past few months. The cost of transporting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia has consequently increased, forcing the committee to pass on the extra expense to the pilgrims.
Impact on Pilgrims
An official from the Haj Committee stated that the additional amount will be collected from the pilgrims along with the final installment of the Haj package. The total cost for the Haj pilgrimage this year is expected to be around Rs 5 lakh per person, depending on the city of departure and the type of accommodation chosen in Mecca and Medina.
The committee had earlier fixed the package at Rs 4.9 lakh, but the recent spike in fuel prices has necessitated a revision. The extra charge will apply to all pilgrims, regardless of their departure point.
Government Subsidy Reduced
The central government has also reduced its subsidy on Haj air travel this year. In previous years, the government used to subsidise a significant portion of the airfare, but that has been scaled back. This has added to the financial burden on the pilgrims.
Reactions from Pilgrims
Many pilgrims have expressed disappointment over the sudden increase. "We were already struggling to arrange the funds for the pilgrimage, and this additional Rs 10,000 will be a strain on our finances," said Mohammed Rafiq, a resident of Hyderabad who is planning to go for Haj this year.
However, some pilgrims have accepted the hike as inevitable given the global rise in fuel prices. "It is unfortunate, but we understand that the committee has no choice. We will have to manage somehow," said Fatima Begum from Bengaluru.
Booking Process
The Haj Committee has started the process of collecting the final installment from selected pilgrims. Those who have been allotted seats will have to pay the extra amount by the end of this month. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of their booking.
The committee has also advised pilgrims to make travel insurance and other arrangements well in advance. The first batch of pilgrims is expected to depart for Saudi Arabia in June.
Global Context
The rise in ATF prices is not limited to India. Globally, fuel prices have surged due to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. This has affected air travel costs worldwide, and the Haj pilgrimage is no exception.
Saudi Arabia has also increased its service charges for pilgrims this year, adding to the overall cost. The total number of Indian pilgrims going for Haj this year is estimated to be around 1.75 lakh.
The Haj Committee of India is working to ensure that the pilgrimage proceeds smoothly despite the price hike. Officials are in touch with airlines and Saudi authorities to manage logistics efficiently.
