Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday urged the Centre to arrange additional Haj flights from Srinagar to clear the backlog of pilgrims caused by the closure of airports during the military standoff between India and Pakistan.
“I have taken up with the government of India the urgent need to arrange additional Haj flights from Srinagar to clear the backlog of 1,895 pilgrims caused by recent flight disruptions,” the chief minister said in a post on X.
Abdullah said ensuring a smooth and timely pilgrimage for Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir was the government’s priority.
Thirty-two airports, including Srinagar, were shut from May 9 due to the military standoff between India and Pakistan. Flight operations resumed on May 13.
Earlier this week, Executive Officer J&K Hajj Committee, Dr Shujhat Qureshi, a committee was working round-the-clock to clear the backlog caused by the suspension. “We have written to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, requesting additional flights to manage the pendency. Tomorrow, we have scheduled two more flights, one as per the regular schedule and another dedicated to accommodating those whose departures were delayed,” he had said.