<p>Srinagar: The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir departed for <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/saudi-arabia">Saudi Arabia</a> on Sunday.</p>.<p>The batch, which comprised 178 pilgrims, was seen off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Srinagar airport.</p>.<p>The LG interacted with the pilgrims and extended the pilgrims his best wishes.</p>.<p>"I extend my heartiest greetings and felicitations to pilgrims undertaking the sacred Haj journey. The divine pilgrimage is a call from almighty and a cherished and life-long dream. The central government is committed to ensure best possible arrangements for the well-being of pilgrims and their sacred pilgrimage," Sinha said.</p>.Haj tour operators failed to comply with timelines set by Saudi authorities: Govt on 'quota cut'.<p>Abdullah too in a message on X wished the pilgrims a fulfilling experience.</p>.<p>"Today, I had the honour of bidding a warm see-off to the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims from Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar.</p>.<p>"Wished them a safe, fulfilling journey and humbly requested prayers for peace and prosperity in our region," he said.</p>.<p>This year, around 3,622 pilgrims from the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir will go for the Haj pilgrimage.</p>.<p>The Srinagar airport is scheduled to operate 11 flights between May 4 and May 15, facilitating approximately 3,132 Haj pilgrims from J-K, and 242 from the Union Territory of Ladakh.</p>.<p>The pilgrims will be received by the Consulate General of India, Ministry of External Affairs, in Jeddah.</p>
<p>Srinagar: The first batch of Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir departed for <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/saudi-arabia">Saudi Arabia</a> on Sunday.</p>.<p>The batch, which comprised 178 pilgrims, was seen off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Srinagar airport.</p>.<p>The LG interacted with the pilgrims and extended the pilgrims his best wishes.</p>.<p>"I extend my heartiest greetings and felicitations to pilgrims undertaking the sacred Haj journey. The divine pilgrimage is a call from almighty and a cherished and life-long dream. The central government is committed to ensure best possible arrangements for the well-being of pilgrims and their sacred pilgrimage," Sinha said.</p>.Haj tour operators failed to comply with timelines set by Saudi authorities: Govt on 'quota cut'.<p>Abdullah too in a message on X wished the pilgrims a fulfilling experience.</p>.<p>"Today, I had the honour of bidding a warm see-off to the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims from Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar.</p>.<p>"Wished them a safe, fulfilling journey and humbly requested prayers for peace and prosperity in our region," he said.</p>.<p>This year, around 3,622 pilgrims from the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir will go for the Haj pilgrimage.</p>.<p>The Srinagar airport is scheduled to operate 11 flights between May 4 and May 15, facilitating approximately 3,132 Haj pilgrims from J-K, and 242 from the Union Territory of Ladakh.</p>.<p>The pilgrims will be received by the Consulate General of India, Ministry of External Affairs, in Jeddah.</p>