The Government has implemented several reforms to make Haj travel hassle-free, significantly enhancing digital infrastructure for better accessibility and convenience.

These initiatives promote women’s equality, allowing more women to undertake the pilgrimage independently. Provisions have also been made to facilitate the pilgrimage particularly for low-income individuals.

In a step towards enhancing accessibility, especially for women, pilgrim support cum facilitation programmes have been introduced. A bilateral Haj Agreement was signed in January this year to establish a total quota of over 1 Lakh 75 thousand pilgrims from India for Haj 2024, with nearly 1 lakh 40 thousand seats reserved for those traveling through the Haj Committee of India.

This year, the Union Health Ministry oversaw comprehensive medical care for approximately over 1 lakh 75 thousand pilgrims, including around 40 thousand elderly individuals aged 60 and above. In response to harsh weather conditions, round-the-clock medical support was provided, featuring enhanced services such as oral health and dental care, based on previous experiences.

Nearly 2 lakh outpatient consultations were conducted, along with regular visits from medical teams to ensure the well-being of all pilgrims this year.

The government has also established robust facilitation centres within Indian Missions to prioritize the welfare and safety of pilgrims abroad. These centers respond promptly to issues raised by pilgrims through various channels, including phone calls, emails, and social media.