Over 500 Umrah pilgrims from K’taka stranded in S. Arabia

More than 500 Umrah pi lgrims from Karnataka remain stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight suspensions amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Karnataka government has stepped in to coordinate relief measures as anxious families, tour operators and community representatives seek urgent intervention to ease the difficulties faced by the pilgrims.

While a few travellers have reportedly managed to reach Qatar by road to board alternative flights, hundreds continue to face uncertainty over their travel plans. Suspensions by airlines, including Air India Express and IndiGo, have disrupted their journeys, leaving many dependent on fresh flight arrangements and assistance from authorities.

The prolonged disruption has placed considerable financial and emotional pressure on pilgrims, particularly elderly travellers and those who booked affordable Umrah packages through private tour operators. Families in coastal Karnataka and Kasargod are increasingly concerned about the additional expenses involved in an extended stay abroad.

Khader assures support

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister U T Khader has assured that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for the stranded pilgrims.

Khader said officials were in constant contact with those affected. The state Haj Committee chairman and other representatives have also met the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia to assess their circumstances and provide reassurance regarding the support being arranged.

The government's intervention comes amid growing appeals from local tour operators, political representatives and families, who have urged both the state and Union governments to take coordinated steps to address the crisis.

Maintaining communication with the stranded travellers and identifying those facing immediate hardship are important aspects of the ongoing response. For families awaiting updates from their relatives, reliable information about travel arrangements and access to assistance remain critical.

Food assistance

The immediate challenge for many pilgrims is meeting the cost of food and accommodation while their return journeys remain uncertain. With the Indian rupee trading at a relatively weak level against the Saudi riyal, expenses have become particularly burdensome for those travelling on limited budgets.

Meals alone are estimated to cost around ?1,500 per person per day. For pilgrims whose planned stay has been extended unexpectedly, these daily expenses can quickly exhaust the money they carried for the pilgrimage.

Officials have assured that food arrangements will be made for those running short of funds. A dedicated helpline is also being set up to help coordinate assistance and respond to the concerns of pilgrims and their families.

The difficulties are especially acute for those who booked low-cost packages through private agents. While such packages made the pilgrimage accessible to more people, the sudden disruption has exposed travellers to expenses that were not anticipated when their journeys were planned.

Ticket refund sought

Efforts are under way to accommodate stranded pilgrims on flights scheduled for October 24 and October 27, subject to seat availability and operational conditions. Families have appealed to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to grant permission for special flights by IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India from Riyadh or Jeddah.

They believe additional flight options could help ease the pressure on travellers waiting for confirmed seats. Former Minorities Commission chairman Abdul Azeem has also urged the authorities to intervene swiftly and ensure that the pilgrims get help.