Srinagar- A group of 50 pilgrims from India, 23 of whom are from the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir who paid hefty amounts for a 23-day Hajj package, allege that they have been left stranded in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, without proper accommodation and transportation.
The pilgrims, alleged that they have paid up to 10 lakh rupees each, were promised a hassle-free Hajj experience by Srinagar-based Makka Madina Tour and Travels, in collaboration with Delhi-based Quick Travels.
However, upon arrival in Makkah, the pilgrims were not provided with the promised hotel accommodations.
Dr Sheikh Sajjad, a pilgrim said that the situation worsened during the Hajj days in Mina, where no transportation or accommodation arrangements were made available, leaving the pilgrims to sleep on the gravel.
“We are around 23 pilgrims from J&k and 5p0 across India who booked a 23-day Hajj package with Makka Madina Tour and Travels, Srinagar, and Quick Travels, Delhi and the package cost ranged from Rs 500,000 to 1 million per person. We were promised hotel accommodations in Makkah, but were not provided with the same upon arrival,” Sajjad told Kashmir Observer.
Another pilgrim Parvaiz Ahmed voiced similar views saying during the Hajj days in Mina, no transportation or accommodation arrangements were made available, leaving the pilgrims stranded and they were forced to sleep on the gravel, without proper food and water facilities.
“There was no availability of tents in Mina in the scorching heat, we literally have seen death before our eyes,” Parvaiz alleged.
“We request the authorities to take strict action against Makka Madina Tour and Travels, and Quick Travels, for their negligence and fraud. We paid hefty amounts for a hassle-free Hajj experience, but were left stranded in Makkah. We don’t want others to suffer the same fate.”
The pilgrims have demanded cancellation of the license of the tour operator, refund of the package cost and compensation for the inconvenience and hardship caused.
Speaking to Kashmir Observer, Manager, Madina Travels Mohammad Saqib Bhat denied the allegations of the pilgrims saying that they provided quality services.
“We provided five star hotels to our pilgrims but this year due to the participation of many unauthorised pilgrims, the hajj turned out to be full of unorganised crowds which resulted in the death of many pilgrims as well. The Saudi authorities are to be blamed for the mess” he said
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