Indian Hajis Take Historic High-Speed Train Ride to Makkah

Traditionally all Hajis who arrive at Jeddah Airport , proceeds to Makkah by busses provided by the Saudi authorities. This year, however special arrangements have been made for some of the Indian Hajis, by the Consulate General of India Jeddah in association with concerned Saudi authorities, to ride the High Speed Harmain Train from Jeddah Airport to Makkah. "This is not only a first for Indian pilgrims but also an inaugural experience for Saudi authorities in transporting Hajis by train directly from Jeddah Airport to Makkah," commented Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan. About 32000 Hajis will be able to use this exclusive service. This will make their journey very comfortable and will reduce the travel time from Jeddah to Makkah by half. The highest speed of the Train is about 300 KM/ hour.

To mark this historical moment Ambassador of India Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan and Consul General Mohd Shahid Alam escorted the Indian Hajis from Jeddah Airport to Makkah on first such journey on the High Speed Train on May 26. They were accompanied by Vice President of Saudi Arabian Railways, Eng Al Harbi and other offcilas from Minsistey of Haj and Ministry of Transport. The Hajis had arrived on Board Saudia Air Flight from Mumbai.For Saudi side also this is the first such experience of transporting Hajis through the Train to Makkah directly from the Jeddah Airport.Every year Indian Autorities have been making efforts to make Haj pilgrimage more comfortable and hassle free.This year 175000 Hajis from India will perform Haj. Out of these, 140000 are coming through the Haj Committee of India.