Hajj Committee convenes national meet to chart 2026 roadmap

New Delhi, Nov 22: The Hajj Committee of India (HCoI) held a national conference on Saturday to enhance preparedness for Hajjj 2026, with a strong focus on full digital transformation, financial transparency, and improved services for pilgrims. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA). The conference began with a two-minute silence in memory of the pilgrims who lost their lives in the recent bus accident in Medina on November 17.

Dr. Kumar directed the HCoI to shift all Hajjj-related operations to a fully digital, AI-enabled and portal-based framework, eliminating manual procedures. He stressed that efficient and transparent delivery of services must be prioritised, supported by robust systems that assist pilgrims from the application stage to post-Hajjj processes.

To strengthen financial accountability, he instructed the HCoI to immediately refund 75% of pending dues to pilgrims, with the remaining 25% to be cleared after verification and audit. A professional Financial Management Services (FMS) company will be engaged to manage accounting operations and enable 24×7 self-assisted financial transaction support. HCoI CEO Shanavas C assured that all necessary measures would be taken to make the forthcoming Hajjj journey smoother and more efficient. Joint Secretary Ram Singh, who recently visited Saudi Arabia, shared recommendations to improve operational ease.

State and Union Territory representatives raised challenges faced by pilgrims in recent years, including long distances to embarkation points and difficulties for elderly and specially-abled travellers. The Committee assured that these concerns will be addressed through improved logistics and better facilities. The Ministry of Minority Affairs and HCoI reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe, well-organised and pilgrim-centric Hajjj 2026 for all Indian citizens.