Centre attempts to resuscitate Mumbai-Mecca sea route again

In a bid to revive the long-forgotten sea route for Haj, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs had floated an Expression of Interest (EOI) earlier this year, but it elicited a dismal response (Just 2). Unwilling to give up, it is now refloating the EOI that will invite bids to appoint a ship operator between Mumbai and Jeddah — a 2,400-nautical mile route.

With this initiative, the ministry aims to make travel affordable for Haj pilgrims. Currently, over a lakh Muslims undertake the holy pilgrimage every year, but it can turn into a costly affair, even with subsidies. Interestingly, two companies — one from Dubai and another from India — expressed interest, but have been scrapped and will have to reapply. 

"We have refloated the EOI to get at least seven to eight companies to show interest in operating the services for Haj pilgrims. This time, we are also going to publicise it better — both domestic and other countries like Singapore — to get more competitive responses," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister for Minority Affairs. Experts, however, fear that the reason for the less-than-enthusiastic response is that operators fear it might be hard to make sea-travel affordable and profitable at the same time.

It is expected that around 4,500 passengers per service will be able to undertake the trip that takes around 2-3 days to reach Jeddah. This is more than twice the passengers and half the time than when the services were previously operational till 1995.

"If we are talking in today's time, airfares are affordable for pilgrimage, with a quick travel turnaround time when compared to travel by sea. Waterways will not be cheaper for passengers considering it will take around three days, coupled with the charges for stay and food on board. Additionally, one has to factor in the cost of to-and-fro from their hometown to Mumbai," said Captain Sanjay Prashar, Managing Director, VR Maritime Services.

Prashar added, "Then the compliance management for sea passage of ship has increased costs by 300 per cent in the last 10 years. So, operators fear that the price they end up quoting will be more than airways. Another challenge is High Risk area (Piracy zone) which is about 500 miles from Mumbai in Arabian Sea towards Jeddah. It's not comfortable for passengers as well and raises insurance premium."