Andhra Pradesh gives ₹1 lakh each to 333 Hajj pilgrims from Vijayawada
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh scaled up its Hajj assistance scheme nearly fivefold — from 72 pilgrims last year to 333 this year — disbursing ₹1 lakh each via DBT to cover the extra ₹68,000 cost of the Vijayawada route. It is a rare welfare delivery story where a specific election promise was both quantified and fulfilled within one year.
Key Takeaways
333 Hajj pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh received ₹1 lakh each via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for using the Vijayawada embarkation point.
The disbursement fulfils an election promise by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP -led coalition government.
Approximately 2,000 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh completed Hajj this year via Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
The assistance covers the additional ₹68,000 cost incurred by pilgrims departing from Vijayawada over other routes.
Last year, 72 pilgrims received the same benefit — making this year's disbursement nearly five times larger in reach.
The Andhra Pradesh government has disbursed financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each to 333 Hajj pilgrims who departed from the Vijayawada embarkation point, fulfilling a poll promise made by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. The funds were transferred directly into pilgrims' bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method, the State Hajj Committee confirmed on 4 July 2025.
Key Developments
State Hajj Committee Chairman Haji Shaik Hasan Basha announced at a press conference that approximately 2,000 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh had completed the Hajj this year, travelling to Mecca via embarkation points in Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. All pilgrims returned home safely, he said.
The ₹1 lakh assistance was specifically earmarked for pilgrims departing from Vijayawada, as that route involves additional travel costs. According to Basha, each pilgrim using the Vijayawada point incurs an extra expenditure of approximately ₹68,000 compared to other embarkation routes.
What the Government Said
The disbursement was carried out under the directives of Chief Minister Naidu and the supervision of Minority Welfare Minister N.M.D. Farooq. Basha noted that pilgrims personally confirmed receipt of the funds via phone and conveyed their gratitude to the state government.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government had first announced the assistance scheme last year, when 72 pilgrims who opted for the Vijayawada embarkation point were similarly supported. The current disbursement to 333 pilgrims marks a significant scale-up in the programme's reach.
Support During the Journey
Basha stated that State Hajj Inspectors and 'Khadim-ul-Hujjaj' (Hajj volunteers) provided continuous assistance to pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage. Pilgrims who visited Mecca and Medina contacted the Hajj Committee to report that the journey was peaceful and free of difficulties.
Pilgrims also reportedly offered special prayers in Mecca for the welfare of the people of Andhra Pradesh and the state government's development initiatives.
Political Acknowledgement
Basha, on behalf of the Muslim community and the State Hajj Committee, thanked Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, IT and Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh, and Minority Welfare Minister N.M.D. Farooq for prioritising minority welfare. The gesture is seen as part of the TDP-led government's broader outreach to minority communities ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
000, the government is spending ₹1 lakh per pilgrim to subsidise a routing inefficiency rather than fixing the route economics. The DBT delivery is commendable for transparency, but the longer-term answer for minority welfare may lie in negotiating competitive Vijayawada-origin Hajj packages, not perpetual cash top-ups.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much financial assistance did Andhra Pradesh give to Hajj pilgrims in 2025?
The Andhra Pradesh government provided ₹1 lakh each to 333 Hajj pilgrims who departed from the Vijayawada embarkation point. The funds were transferred directly into their bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method.
Why did Andhra Pradesh provide ₹1 lakh to Hajj pilgrims from Vijayawada?
Pilgrims using the Vijayawada embarkation point incur an additional cost of approximately ₹68,000 compared to other departure points. The ₹1 lakh assistance was announced by the TDP-led government to offset this extra expense and was part of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's election promise.
How many pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh performed Hajj in 2025?
Approximately 2,000 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh performed Hajj this year, travelling via embarkation points in Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. All returned home safely, according to State Hajj Committee Chairman Haji Shaik Hasan Basha.
Who oversaw the disbursement of the Hajj financial assistance in Andhra Pradesh?
The disbursement was carried out under Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's directives and supervised by Minority Welfare Minister N.M.D. Farooq. The State Hajj Committee confirmed that funds reached all 333 eligible pilgrims.
How does this year's Hajj assistance compare to last year in Andhra Pradesh?
Last year, 72 pilgrims who opted for the Vijayawada embarkation point received the ₹1 lakh assistance. This year, the number rose to 333 — nearly a fivefold increase — reflecting growing uptake of the Vijayawada departure route.
