Kolkata: Ensuring better service for pilgrims going for Haj this season, the West Bengal State Haj Committee has made special arrangements this year. "The first Haj flight (SV 5425) will take off from Kolkata on July 25, 2019. It will leave at 6.25 pm. All arrangements have been made for pilgrims comfort and safety. The Haj pilgrims will have to report West Bengal State Haj Committee on July 23," Ejaz Ahmed, media coordinator of West Bengal State Haj Committee, told Millennium Post. This year, approximately 12,000 Haj pilgrims from Odisha, Bihar, Tripura and West Bengal will be leaving for the pilgrimage from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. As many as 8,650 pilgrims are scheduled to make the pilgrimage from West Bengal alone. Like previous year, this year also, chief minister Mamata Banerjee will make arrangements for the breakfast of the pilgrims and special dry fruits packet will be offered to them. West Bengal State Haj Committee chairman Nadimul Haque will see off the pilgrims at the airport. The departure of Haj pilgrims will continue till August 5, 2019. "Haj pilgrims are instructed to report West Bengal State Haj Committee for vaccination and other details three days before their departure," said Ahmed. At the time of reporting, Haj pilgrims will be asked to furnish their application form along with vaccination paper. The cost incurred in performing Haj is Rs 3,12, 800. To prevent any untoward incidents, ambulance and fire extinguishers will be present at State Haj Committee and Haj Tower. Haj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is performed in the last month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime if they can afford to do so.

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