Mangalore : State minister for infrastructure development and information Haji Roshan Baig flagged off the first flight carrying first batch of Haj pilgrims at the Mangalore International Airport on August 27, Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Baig said that today the flight carried the first batch of Hajj pilgrims from the City and State. While the first flight carrying Hajj pilgrims from Bangalore will take off on September 12.

State Health Minister U T Khader, MLA J R Lobo and MLA Mohiuddin Bava, former minister B A Moidin and others were present.

He also said that altogether five batches of Hajj pilgrims will leave from the city in evening flights from August 28, Thursday to September 1, Monday. While, 16 batches of Hajj pilgrims from Bangalore will leave city between September 12 and September 27.

A total of 130 pilgrims including 64 men and 66 women, left to Hajj from Mangalore in the first batch flight.

This year 700 pilgrims from Mangalore out of 5000 pilgrims from the state have registered their names for the Hajj pilgrims, Baig said.

MLA J R Lobo said that Kuwait-Mangalore flight will resume from October 27 this year.

State Health Minister U T Khader said that, in order to look after the medical needs of the pilgrims, the health department has sent seven doctors, 14 nurses and a pharmacist to Saudi Arabia.