Lok Sabha Question No. 1785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Modernisation of Haj Infrastructure
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1785

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## 'MODERNISATION OF HAJ INFRASTRUCTURE'

## 1785. SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

Will the Minister of Minority Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the details of projects undertaken by the Government for modernisation and expansion of Haj infrastructure;

(b) the key features and implementation timeline of the proposed Haj House in Navi Mumbai, Kharghar;

(c) the measures taken/being taken by the Government for improving coordination between the Ministry, the Haj Committee of India and State authorities for preparations for Haj 2026; and

(d) the initiatives taken/being taken by the Government for ensuring the safety, convenience and logistical support of pilgrims especially senior citizens and first-time pilgrims?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) and (b) The Government of India has comprehensively modernized Haj infrastructure across three key areas, Digital Infrastructure, Medical Infrastructure and Physical Infrastructure. The Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal now enable end-to-end online  registration,  payments,  health  uploads,  real-time  tracking,  and  feedback  to  ensure hassle free experience for the pilgrims. To address medical needs of the pilgrims, round-theclock clinics, mobile medical teams, dental units, and emergency services are operational in Saudi Arabia, supported by doctors, paramedics and pharmacists, and health monitoring. To address pilgrims needs for facilities in Saudi Arabia, the buildings in Makkah and Madinah are  inspected  and  booked  months  in  advance  to  secure  closer  and  better  accommodations; transport fleets, airport shuttles, and AC-equipped tents in Mina/Arafat have been upgraded; training  facilities  at  Haj  House  Mumbai  and  regional  centres  have  been  enhanced.  The infrastructure  at  all  embarkation  points  across  India  is  regularly  assessed  and  expanded  in close  coordination  with  State  Haj  Committees  and  other  stakeholders,  with  development works  executed  by  the  Haj  Committee  of  India.  Together,  these  initiatives  have  greatly improved comfort, safety, efficiency and accessibility for Indian Haj pilgrims.

(c) The Government has undertaken several measures to improve coordination between the Ministry, the Haj Committee of India, and State Haj Committees for the preparations for Haj -2026.  These  include  strengthened  institutional  coordination  through  periodic  review meetings,  issuance  of  detailed  guidelines  and  timelines  for  all  operational  activities,  and regular  consultations  to  streamline  accommodation,  transport,  training,  and  other  logistical arrangements.

(d) The Government has undertaken several initiatives to enhance the safety, convenience,  and  logistical  support  of  pilgrims,  with  special  focus  on  senior  citizens  and first-time pilgrims. Key measures include: Improving the State Haj Inspector (SHI) ratio from 1:300 to 1:200 and further to 1:150 for better on-ground support, Enhancing the quality of SHIs  through  a  Computer-Based  Test  and  interview  to  ensure  deployment  of  well-trained personnel,  Strengthening  medical  support,  including  robust  pre-departure  screening  and improved medical arrangements during Haj operations, Upgrading digital facilitation through the Haj Suvidha App for real-time information, guidance, and grievance redressal, Providing Haj Suvidha Smart Watches to all pilgrims for Haj -2026 to assist with navigation, tracking, and emergency alerts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Improving facilitation at embarkation points and enhancing coordination for accommodation, transport, and movement in KSA, and conducting  focused  orientation  and  training,  particularly  for  first-time  pilgrims.  These measures  aim  to  ensure  a  safer,  smoother,  and  more  comfortable  Haj  experience  for  all pilgrims.

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