Sri Vijaya Puram, May 26: The newly reconstituted UT Haj Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday called on Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi at Lok Niwas, marking a significant administrative revival of the body after a gap of nearly 16 years.
The delegation, led by the Chairman along with members of the committee, met the Lt Governor to discuss matters related to Haj pilgrimage coordination and the functioning of the committee in the islands. The interaction is being viewed as an important step towards restoring institutional support mechanisms for Haj pilgrims from the Union Territory.
The Haj Committee, which had remained non-functional for more than a decade and a half, has now been reconstituted by the administration, reviving a formal platform for addressing concerns and logistical issues linked to the annual pilgrimage undertaken by Muslim devotees from the islands.
During the meeting, the committee members apprised the Lt Governor of various issues related to facilitation of Haj pilgrims, coordination with authorities and the need for streamlined arrangements for island residents travelling for the pilgrimage.
Officials familiar with the development said the revival of the committee is expected to improve communication between pilgrims and the administration while enabling better planning and coordination for future Haj seasons.
The meeting assumes significance as island pilgrims have often faced logistical challenges linked to travel connectivity, documentation, medical arrangements and coordination with mainland embarkation points due to the geographical isolation of the islands.
The reconstituted committee is expected to play a key role in assisting intending pilgrims through various stages of the Haj process, including awareness, application support and coordination with concerned authorities.
The Lt Governor, who also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency, is understood to have assured support for ensuring smoother pilgrimage-related arrangements for residents of the islands.
The revival of the Haj Committee comes at a time when the administration has been focusing on strengthening community outreach and improving institutional mechanisms across sectors in the Union Territory.
Community members have welcomed the reconstitution, describing it as a long-awaited move that could help address longstanding concerns of pilgrims and their families.
The Haj pilgrimage remains one of the most significant religious journeys for Muslims, and island residents often depend heavily on administrative coordination due to the additional travel complexities associated with the remote geography of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The committee is expected to begin regular engagement with stakeholders and concerned departments in the coming months as preparations continue for future Haj-related activities and facilitation measures in the islands.
