AP Haj Committee Urges Centre to Set Up Embarkation Point in Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh is stepping up efforts to improve facilities for Haj pilgrims while also modernising the functioning of the state Waqf Board through digital technology. The initiatives are aimed at making pilgrimage-related travel more convenient and affordable and ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in Waqf Board services.
Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee Chairman Haji Shaik Hassan Basha has urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to establish a Haj embarkation point in Vijayawada and take measures to reduce the airfares paid by pilgrims travelling for the annual pilgrimage. During his meeting with the Union minister, Basha raised concerns over the high cost of air travel and the difficulties faced by pilgrims who have to travel to other locations to board Haj flights.
Basha submitted a representation outlining the need for a Vijayawada embarkation facility and highlighted the potential benefits for pilgrims across Andhra Pradesh. He said operating an embarkation point from Vijayawada could reduce both travel time and expenses, offering greater convenience to pilgrims before they begin their journey to Saudi Arabia.
He further said the state Haj Committee was committed to continuously working towards improving pilgrim welfare and travel facilities. Better arrangements, he added, would help reduce the logistical difficulties faced by Haj travellers and make the pilgrimage process smoother.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board is moving towards a technology-driven system to improve the delivery of its services. Waqf Board Chairman Abdul Aziz said a dedicated website and mobile application have been developed to digitise the board’s services and operations.
The new digital platforms are expected to make the board’s functioning more transparent, accessible and efficient. Preparations are reportedly underway for their formal launch, which is expected to be conducted by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
As part of the transition to the digital system, a special training programme was conducted at the Waqf Board office for inspector-auditors and other staff members under the supervision of CEO Yaqub Qazi. Abdul Aziz joined the programme through video conference and gave staff members instructions on adopting the new system.
He stressed that launching the digital platforms would only be the first step, with their effective implementation at the grassroots level being equally important. The training was intended to prepare officials and staff to use the new system efficiently once it becomes operational.