Mumbai, November 21 — The Ministry of Minority Affairs will convene a National Haj Conference in Mumbai on Saturday to assess the country’s preparedness for Haj 2026 and strengthen coordination between State and Union Territory Haj Committees and the Haj Committee of India (HCoI).
The meeting, to be held at Haj House, will be chaired by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, and will bring together Executive Officers from all State and UT Haj Committees for a comprehensive review of key operational and service-delivery arrangements.
India sends more than 1.75 lakh pilgrims annually for the Haj pilgrimage, and the government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the journey remains safe, smooth and dignified for all pilgrims. The HCoI, under the Ministry’s supervision, oversees year-round planning and coordination with Saudi and domestic authorities.
Key issues on the agenda
Accommodation and Logistics:
Officials will review accommodation arrangements in Saudi Arabia and evaluate coordination mechanisms with Saudi agencies to ensure timely allocation of facilities. Domestic logistical readiness will also be assessed.
Transportation and Baggage Handling:
The conference will examine systems for efficient movement of pilgrims and ways to improve baggage-handling procedures to minimise delays and ensure safe transit.
Training of Haj Assistants and Inspectors:
The Ministry plans to review the preparedness and training modules for Haj Assistants and Inspectors, with a focus on discipline, service standards and operational protocols.
Medical Preparedness:
Officials will evaluate medical screening systems, vaccination processes and coordination with Saudi health regulations. Deployment and readiness of medical teams will be discussed in detail to ensure comprehensive support for pilgrims.
According to the Ministry, the conference aims to identify gaps, streamline procedures and strengthen inter-agency cooperation to deliver “world-class facilities” for all Indian Haj Yatris in 2026.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to significantly improve preparation for the upcoming pilgrimage season, reinforcing the government’s commitment to the welfare of minority communities and the safety and comfort of all Haj pilgrims.
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