A two-member team sent by the Haj Committee of India, which includes Telangana State Haj Committee Special Officer S A Shukoor, returned from Saudi Arabia, after identifying 146 buildings in Mecca where Haj pilgrims are likely to stay.
According to Prof Shukoor, of the 146 buildings, 17 will be used under the No Cooking and No Transport (NCNT) Zone, formerly known as Green Category (within 1,000 metres of the Holy Mosque). The other 129 have been identified for use under the Azizia Category (up to 8km from Holy Mosque). The buildings can accommodate around 48,000 pilgrims.
“The NCNT Zone accommodation will cost 4,450 Saudi riyals per pilgrim and the Azizia Category will cost 2,300 Saudi riyals per person. Since the NCNT Zone accommodation is close to the Holy Mosque, cooking is not allowed there for safety reasons . Those in Azizia category can cook,” Prof Shukoor said.
Last year, the NCNT Zone accommodation cost 4,500 Saudi riyals and Azizia cost 2,500 Saudi riyals.
The building selection team has been provided with a stringent check-list with regard to building quality. This includes proper ventilation, exhaust fans, telephone connection, one kitchen for every 30 pilgrims, one toilet for every 12 pilgrims, fire safety certificate from competent Saudi authority and proximity to bus stations, among others.
“Keeping in view the safety of our pilgrims, we did a thorough check. Another round of inspection will be done soon,” Prof Shukoor said and clarified that accommodation for pilgrims in the city of Medina will be decided separately.
After extending the deadline for submission of Haj applications twice, Telangana State Haj Committee is likely to conduct draw of lots for pilgrim selection in the second week of January 2019.