A total of 124,000 residential units in 620 buildings have been hired in Makkah for Indian pilgrims, the Consulate General of India said in a press release Sunday. Nine companies have been selected in Madina to offer accommodation to the pilgrims on rotational basis. The Indian government has deputed 518 personnel, including 135 doctors, to serve the pilgrims in Jeddah, Makkah and Madina, the statement said. Moreover, control rooms have been set up and all information is constantly being updated to the website of the Consulate General of India: www.cgijeddah.com. The website provides an online database of all pilgrims coming from India. A 24/7 helpline (+966-25496000 and +966-25458000) has been set up at the Indian Haj Mission Office in Makkah to cater to the requirements of the pilgrims, the CGI said. A total of 170,491 pilgrims from India will perform Haj this year. Several arrangements for Indian pilgrims have been made this year, the most notable of which are: 1. Pilgrims need not carry check-in baggage during departure. A designated agency will visit them and take their baggage for check-in 24 hours before their departure. 2. On call services for cleaning, plumbing, water supply, and lift-related issues in buildings housing pilgrims will be taken care of by an agency. 3. An arrangement has been made with a local telecom company to distribute SIM cards at low cost to Indian pilgrims. The SIM cards will have all important numbers required by pilgrims pre-stored in them. 4. Special medical teams will take care of pilgrims over 70 years of age. 5. Tents in Mina will be inspected to ensure adequate facilities and space are provided. 6. Round-the-clock office and dispensary arrangements have been made at the Jeddah Haj Terminal. 7. A 50-bed hospital has been set up in Makkah and a 10-bed hospital in Madina by the Indian Mission.
