'Saudi Arabia Reopens Haj Portal For CHGOs After India’s Push,' Says Minority Affairs Ministry

On Tuesday, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs announced that due to their intervention, the Saudi Haj Ministry has agreed to reopen the Haj Portal (Nusuk Portal) to all Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGO) to complete their work in respect of 10,000 private quota pilgrims.

MoMA said India was allocated 175,025 permits for the 2025 Haj in consultation with the Saudi authorities. Of the total number, 122,518 were given to the MoMA to be allotted through the Haj Committee of India. The remaining permits were given to more than 800 private tour operators consolidated into 26 legal entities termed CHGOs. The ministry said that though the Haj quota was allocated by MoMA to these 26 CHGOs well in advance, they failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities and failed to finalise the mandatory contracts, including for Mina camps, accommodation, and transport of pilgrims, as required under the Saudi regulations.

MoMA added that the Saudi Haj Ministry highlighted its concerns for the safety of pilgrims, particularly in Mina, where Haj rituals have to be completed under extreme summer heat conditions in a limited space. It also underlined that due to delays, the available space in Mina became occupied. The Saudi authorities have conveyed that they were not extending the timelines for any country this year. All arrangements, including flight schedules, transportation, Mina camps, accommodation, and additional services, have been taken up and completed as per the Saudi requirements.

The Government of India has been continuously engaging with Saudi authorities on the matter. India would appreciate any gesture by Saudi authorities to accommodate more pilgrims, MoMA said in a statement.