NEW DELHI: As part of the new Haj policy , the Modi government is planning 15 cruise trips for pilgrims from 2018 onwards. Naqvi said the option was now being weighed in the light of a 2012 Supreme Court order asking the Centre to abolish by 2022 the subsidy offered to the Haj pilgrims who travel by air. The pilgrims will also be trained in “dos and don’ts”, which would mainly look at norms of prayers during pilgrimage. Via sea route, the cost will come down to Rs 60,000.”Saudi Arabia had earlier this year increased India’s Haj quota from 1.36 lakh to 1.70 lakh. The decision was taken during the signing of bilateral annual Haj agreement between India and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on January 11, 2017.

Source: Economic Times May 11, 2017 19:18 UTC