This year, 5,600 pilgrims from Bihar will travel to Makkah.

GAYA: At least 5,600 pilgrims from across the state are expected to go on haj pilgrimage this year from Gaya airport after a gap of three years. The first flight carrying haj pilgrims will leave Gaya airport on May 21 and the last one on June 6. At least 392 people from Gaya district have also registered for the haj pilgrimage.Haj pilgrimage from Gaya had remained suspended for three years due to Covid pandemic. In 2022, haj pilgrims from Bihar had to board their flights at Kolkata airport.On Saturday, Gaya district magistrate Thiyagarajan SM held a meeting at the Gaya airport with local haj committee members and officials of Central Industrial Security Force and district administration to review arrangements for smooth operation of haj flights.Two flights carrying haj pilgrims will take off from the Gaya airport every day. The detailed schedule of the flight operations will be issued soon.Local haj committee member Abdul Moti Karimi informed the DM that nearly 1,000 people are likely to gather at the airport every day to see off the pilgrims. The DM instructed the officials concerned to make arrangements for water cooler, pandal, makeshift toilets, control room, health camp, police outpost, May I Help You counter, and CCTVs at the airport.He asked civil surgeon Dr Ranjan Kumar Singh to ensure deputation of doctors and the paramedical staff in separate shifts. Karimi requested the DM to issue identity card to all the 70 razakaars (volunteers) who will be pressed into service to help the pilgrims.Gaya SSP Ashish Bharti said police escort team would be deputed in the border areas of Gaya district. “Additional police forces will be deployed at various places to ensure that the pilgrims reach the Gaya airport smoothly,” he added.