Circular No. 53 dated 17^th October 1997

Until a few years ago, Haj Pilgrims used to board the vessel from Bombay Port and on their return journey, disembark at Bombay. Due to changed circumstances, now Haj Pilgrims travel by Air only and at present they board the Aircrafts from 6 different major Airports. Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India have stated that wherever landing facility for wide bodied 747 Jumbo Aircrafts is made available, they will airlift the Haj Pilgrims from those Airports and possibly in future Haj Pilgrims will be able to board the Air craft from the Capital of their own States. Up till now, Mumbai Custom House was providing information regarding Baggage Rules to Hajjis and also was providing necessary assistance to the Haj Committee. It is now felt that, under the changed circumstances, Customs should provide necessary information as well as assistance to the Haj Pilgrims at various Embarkation points.

2.      The Haj session will be commencing from March, 1998 and hence, all the Commissioners of Customs are requested to provide necessary information and assistance to Haj Pilgrims at their Embarkation Points and wherever feasible, a Customs information Centre may be opened during the Haj Season in the State Haj House where Haj Pilgrims are lodged by the respective State Haj Committees before their journey to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

3.      The above may kindly be brought to the notice of all concerned by contacting the state Haj Committee and the concerned department of the State Government.