Four Mahim residents — Farooque Dhala, Syed M Ismail, Syed Gulzar Rana, and Irfan Machiwala—have written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Maharashtra government to start Mumbai to Jeddah Haj and Umrah ship services for pilgrims. In their letters dated January 31 this year, sent by email and speed post, they appeal to PM Narendra Modi to start the service. Their communication was acknowledged by the central government on February 9.

Affordability

Machiwala said, “Pilgrims would have to pay much less to go by ship to Jeddah than what they pay for flights, so overall costs are brought down. These are ballpark figures, but round trips on flights cost approximately Rs 62,000, while during Ramadan, costs range from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,25,000. These change according to demand and supply. Today, Haj packages, which include flights, accommodation etc., range between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 6 lakh per person, making them prohibitive for many. As per last calculations, water transport may be much more cost effective, and ship tickets may cost 50 per cent lesser than air fares, so this can make a difference, overall.”