Govt to send 18,000 Hajj pilgrims by ship

The government has taken initiative to send 18,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year by ship so people can perform the holy Hajj at lower expenses than airfares.
Meanwhile, a private shipping corporation has made some proposals to the government for carrying the pilgrim passengers at 40 percent less than the cost of travel by airplane, an official announcement said yesterday.
Under the arrangement, each passenger needs to spend a minimum of $ 850 for the voyage to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. This year Hajj is likely to be held in mid-November.
The plan was unveiled at a meeting of the shipping ministry with its Minister Shahjahan Khan in the chair.
The shipping lines, with its two ships, would carry the pilgrims to and from Chittagong seaport and Jeddah Port from October 1 on six up and down trips each. Each trip can carry 3,000 passengers.
At the meeting, an 11-member committee, with Joint Secretary of the ministry (Commercial) M Abdul Quddus as convenor, was formed to implement the proposals.
The step also helps avert perennial problems involved in carrying thousands of pilgrims by air for aircraft shortages and other hassles.
Representatives from the ministries concerned, NBR, Ctg port, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, Mercantile Marine Department and Shipping Lines are made committee members.