Tuesday, June 7 2005 08:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In a new measure, all pilgrims undertaking Hajj this year (2005) would have to intimate Indian authorities in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia about their health condition, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said yesterday (Jun 6, 2005).

The Indian Consul General in Jeddah would have to be told by the pilgrims whether they were suffering from hypertension, asthma and such other ailments so that medical facilities could be arranged for them, he said after the All Indian Annual Hajj Conference in New Delhi.

"This is an important step to ensure that pilgrims were provided medical aid," Ahamed said recalling last year 70 per cent of the pilgrims were above 60 years and 10 per cent above 70 years.

He said Indian authorities in Mecca have also been asked to find out additional accommodation in view of the Saudi directive to increase the space needed for Hajjis from 3 square metres to 3.5 square metres.

Ahamed said the authorities would be looking for a suitable building to accommodate Indian Hajjis as certain old buildings have been demolished.

On the issue of availability of Hajj volunteers, the Minister said he would take it up with certain State Governments, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Orissa.