• Cabinet approves support measures for families of Umrah pilgrims killed in Madina road accident

Hyderabad, November 17: Advisor to Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Monday announced that the state government would provide Rs. 5 lakh ex gratia to the families of each of the Telangana pilgrims who died in a road accident near Madina, Saudi Arabia. He said the decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held earlier in the day, chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Along with the financial support, the state is also sending a high-level delegation to Saudi Arabia to assist in coordination efforts and support grieving families.

Speaking at a press conference at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat alongside Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Adluri Lakshman Kumar, Shabbir Ali said that a total of 44 people died when a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Makkah to Madina collided with a tanker approximately 25 kilometres before reaching Madina. He said the accident site turned grim, and death was confirmed on the spot for almost all victims.

He said that as soon as news of the incident reached the state, the Chief Minister was informed early in the morning and gave immediate instructions. “We were all deeply shaken internally,” he said, adding that officials were asked to visit the families personally. Efforts were made to reach out to the homes of the deceased, and the government began assessing what formalities were required both locally and abroad.

Shabbir Ali said the cabinet unanimously decided to provide Rs. 5 lakh as compensation to each bereaved family. He also announced that the government would bear all expenses for travel, documentation, and arrangements related to the victims, whether their last rites are performed in Saudi Arabia or in Telangana. “This was one of the major decisions taken today,” he said, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting the victims’ families fully.

A high-level delegation will be sent to Saudi Arabia, he said, to oversee coordination with local authorities and the Indian Embassy. The delegation will include Minority Welfare Minister Md Azharuddin, Nampally MLA Majid Hussain, as many victims were from that area, and the Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department. The purpose of the delegation is to work directly with families, ensure smooth formalities, and support the transport or burial process as per the family’s wishes.

He further stated that the Telangana government is working in close coordination with the Government of India and the Saudi authorities. For families who choose to have the deceased buried in Madina Sharif, given its religious significance, the government will assist accordingly. If family members wish to travel to Saudi Arabia to attend the last rites or to identify and confirm the deceased, the state will bear all travel and related expenses.

He confirmed that 44 passports of the deceased have already been received, and visa processing has begun. Government officers, including the Joint Director and relevant departments, have already started working on the process to expedite documentation and coordination.

Shabbir Ali concluded by saying that all steps were being taken under the direction of the Chief Minister and the decisions taken in the cabinet meeting would be implemented immediately. He assured that moral and administrative support would be extended to the families, and that Telangana would stand by them during this difficult time, both in India and in Saudi Arabia. (eom)