Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, Mar 11: As many as 4,717 pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir will perform Hajj in 2026, with the first batch scheduled to depart from Srinagar International Airport on April 18, officials said.
Executive Officer of the J&K Haj Committee, Dr. Shujaat Qureshi, said that 4,716 pilgrims have completed their bookings, while the registration process had closed in August last year.
“All the selected pilgrims have confirmed their participation, and most of the payments have been completed, with just one instalment yet to be paid,” Dr. Qureshi said.
He said the Hajj flights from Srinagar will operate between April 18 and April 28, during which pilgrims will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia in batches.
Dr. Qureshi said that Akasa Air has been awarded the tender for embarkation from Srinagar Airport for this year’s Hajj operations.
“This year Akasa Air will operate the flights for pilgrims departing from Srinagar,” he said.
He also said that pilgrims were given the option to select their preferred travel dates and flights, which marks a change from previous years.
“Earlier, the flight schedules were allotted from the backend by the authorities. But this year, pilgrims were given a window during which they could choose their own flight and travel date, and this year 3000 pilgrims availed that facility,” he said.
The official said that the pilgrimage arrangements are being made in coordination with the Hajj Committee of India and Saudi authorities to ensure smooth travel and accommodation for pilgrims
Meanwhile, authorities have introduced two key changes for Hajj 2026 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, announcing separate accommodation for men and women and a complete ban on self-cooking, with food to be served through authorised caterers, officials said on Wednesday.
Dr. Qureshi said that even if pilgrims are travelling as families, men and women will stay in separate rooms, though they may be accommodated in the same building or on the same floor.
He said that each room will accommodate a minimum of two and a maximum of seven pilgrims.
He added that another major change this year is that self-cooking by pilgrims has been completely banned.
“In previous years, pilgrims had the option of self-cooking. But from this year self-cooking has been banned,” Dr Qureshi said.
Instead, food will be provided through authorised catering services arranged by the authorities, ensuring standardised and regulated meal arrangements for pilgrims.
