A project is under implementation phase to provide information service through a portal for citizens, concerned government departments and other private organisations like banks and airlines about Hujjaj.
The main services under the system include online processing of Haj applications by citizens and banks, dissemination of information regarding selected candidates through ballot and their group name, code and flight schedule (both ways).
Talking to APP here on Thursday, an official at Electronic Government Directorate (EGD) - an implementing body of the project said this phased-wise project costing Rs 29 million is expected to be fully implemented by December 2007.
All major activities including supply of hardware, deployment of Local Area Network (LAN) and development of application software have been completed, he said and added the EGD will look after the technical and maintenance side of the project till 2009 to ensure its smooth functioning.
The official said ongoing Haj operation entirely depended on the newly developed and deployed application software. A total of 68,000 out of 75,000 (90 percent) Haj applications under Private Haj Scheme and 30 percent (45,519 out of 1,51,732) Haj applications under Government Haj Scheme were successfully submitted electronically. Thus a total 1,13,519 out of the total volume 2,26,732 applications were collected electronically, he added.
He said the newly developed application software saved 50 percent time for application submission, data entry and data edition, verification activities in comparison with the time consumed for these activities during last Haj operation.
Subsequently the balloting of Government Scheme Haj application had been successfully completed, he said. The official said further information about luggage of pilgrims and the deceased or sick pilgrims may also be made available through this comprehensive website.
He said this system was made foolproof from any malfunction by adopting a secure, reliable and efficient channel after proper authentication and authorisation.
Other activities that will be carried out in future using this newly developed application software includes, flight scheduling accommodation booking in Haji camps at Saudi Arabia and status tracking of Hajis during Haj operation at entry and exit points.