Thane, March 11 A new Haj House, to be built at a cost of ₹225 crore, will come up in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, providing a significant boost to infrastructure for pilgrims wishing to undertake the annual journey to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Haj Committee of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) on Wednesday for the construction of the new Haj House in Kharghar.
The proposed facility, which will serve as a transit-cum-training and facilitation centre, is estimated to cost ₹225 crore and will be entirely funded by the Haj Committee of India, according to an official release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The project received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Minority Affairs on January 21, 2026. Under the agreement, the CPWD will be responsible for the planning, design, and construction of the facility, ensuring adherence to quality standards and timelines, the release stated.
The centre is designed as a modern, integrated facility to support Indian pilgrims before their journey to Mecca. It will provide comprehensive services, including orientation, training, accommodation, and logistical support, to ensure a smoother travel experience, it said.
"The newly-inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport will provide enhanced connectivity and logistical convenience for pilgrims, making travel arrangements more efficient," the release stated.
The initiative follows a site visit in November last year by Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, who reviewed the layout and technical aspects of the project alongside officials from the Haj Committee and CPWD.
Once completed, the Kharghar facility is expected to become a vital hub for capacity building and pre-departure support for Haj pilgrims from across the country, the release added.