Saudi says no room for more Haj pilgrims

Jeddah informed New Delhi that 44,000 Indians were overstaying in Saudi Arabia after entering the country for the umrah or the normal pilgrimage. But India says it has no control on these overstayers since they go on visa handed out by the Saudi government and on tours handled by private operators.

The Cabinet in August added 18,000 more pilgrims for 2006 taking the total to one lakh, despite objection by Ministry of Civil Aviation on grounds that national carrier Air India did not have spare aircraft.

However, that problem was sorted out after Saudi Arabia offered all help in airlifting the extra passengers that Air India could not fly. Saudia, which presently flies 52,000 of the 82,000 pilgrims, was also willing to ferry more passengers than what has been agreed to in the civil aviation pact, said sources.

The airline has also agreed to alter its schedule to match the number of flights and the timing for each embarkation point. Saudia will also carry the holy Zamzam water of each pilgrim at its own expense to India and store them at the disembarkation point for free.

While 72,000 pilgrims went in 2004, the number was raised to 82,000 this year. However, the Cabinet approved the increase while capping it at one lakh for the next three years.