The first flight carrying Indian pilgrims for Haj arrived in Madina Thursday. A total of 170,491 pilgrims from India will perform Haj this year, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah said in a press release Wednesday. 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 cared 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.
