Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, held a series of meetings in Saudi Arabia with senior officials of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah to discuss technical integration of Haj portals and enhance services for Indian pilgrims.
Indian Haj pilgrims in Makkah are struggling to access food that matches their regional preferences due to a ban on self-cooking, scattered eateries, and limited options near accommodations. Social workers are helping by listing ethnic restaurants, with Hyderabadi cuisine seeing the highest demand.
India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, visited Makkah to oversee arrangements for Haj 2026 and welcomed the first batch of pilgrims arriving by train from Madinah. Key initiatives this year include the Haj Suvidha App, smart wristbands, short-duration Haj options, expanded insurance coverage, and high-speed rail connectivity.
One pilgrim fell down the elevator shaft in the cellar and died from injuries and while another was crushed to death after he was struck between the doors of the elevator, said sources.
