Hassan Cheruppa Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — All arrangements are well in place for ensuring flawless and complaint-free accommodation for Indian Haj pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, according to E.T. Muhammad Basheer, member of Indian parliament. “We have refused hiring six buildings identified by the building selection team in Makkah for want of required facilities. This was after our inspection and close checking of the facilities and services at all buildings,” he said while addressing a press conference here recently. Basheer, who is a member of the Indian Central Haj Committee, came to inspect the buildings chosen initially for the Indian pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah as a member of the Building Selection Committee. Syed Farooq Syed Karim from Maharashtra, another member of the Central Haj Committee, Consul General B.S. Mubarak and Haj Consul Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh accompanied him during the inspection. Basheer said that the Indian Haj mission is keen on making qualitative leap in the facilities and services being offered to the pilgrims year after year. He said this year around 40,000 pilgrims will have green category accommodation in the Central Haram Area while more than 60,000 pilgrims will be accommodated in Aziziyah. “We inspected 29 buildings shortlisted by the selection team for the pilgrims' accommodation in the Central Haram Area and Aziziyah in Makkah. We have given instructions to remove seven buildings from the list and gave the go-ahead to choose 18 buildings,” he said adding that a final decision will be taken after taking into account of the committee's suggestions and recommendations. Basheer said long-term accommodation committee continues working to implement the directives of the Supreme Court to find permanent accommodation for pilgrims. “But it is not possible to adhere to this directive this year.” He said that remedial measures have been taken to avoid repeating the problems while food service was introduced for pilgrims at their lodgings in Madinah. “This year, we have awarded contracts to two big catering companies to serve food to pilgrims. Last year, the Central Haj Committee delegation signed agreements with six housing groups to serve food to pilgrims at their lodgings in Madinah for the first time,” he said. In Makkah, individual owners rent out buildings to pilgrims unlike Madinah where housing groups are involved. Basheer expressed satisfaction over the elaborate arrangements and high-tech services being made by the Indian Haj Mission. “Consul General B.S. Mubarak and Haj Consul Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh are doing a wonderful job in making available the best services for the pilgrims by taking advantage of the highly advanced means of technology after reviewing field reports,” he said.
