Patna: The number of Haj pilgrims from Bihar has registered a steep decline compared to last year's figures in the wake of soaring pilgrimage costs.

A significant portion of the dedicated quota for Bihar will remain unfilled for the second year in a row.

Official figures say nearly 4,800 people are expected to proceed on Haj from Bihar, a sharp 26 per cent fall as compared to 2017 when 6,487 people proceeded on pilgrimage from Gaya, the only embarkation point in the state since 2012 .

The dedicated quota of pilgrims from Bihar was 12,630 in 2018. This year, 5,150 applications were received out of which nearly 350 people cancelled their trip on account of "compelling reasons". According to reliable sources in the Bihar state Haj committee skyrocketing cost of pilgrimage is the most predominant among all other grounds for cancellation such as medical treatment and health-related issues besides the death of pilgrims.

While conceding to the sharp fall, executive officer Rashid Hussain said: "A lot of people cancelled their pilgrimage citing financial and medical reasons. But the exact figures can be ascertained only after July 28 when the last batch of pilgrims leave for Medina."

The number of pilgrims from Bihar had been declining consistently. As a result, a major chunk of the dedicated quota remained unutilised. In 2017, the quota was 12,125 but 6,487 pilgrims, a little over 50 per cent, proceeded for Haj.

The pilgrimage starts from July 14 when the first batch of pilgrims will fly out of Gaya, which was first made an embarkation point for Hajis in 2002.

Two years later the embarkation point was shifted to Patna but in 2012, Gaya was re-notified as an embarkation point. Since then it is one among 21 such embarkation points in the country.

Sources in the state Haj Committee told The Telegraph that the cost of pilgrimage has increased substantially as compared to last year. In 2017, it was 2.47 lakh and now it is 2.90 lakh.

"The imposition of 28% GST on Haj flights, besides abolition of subsidy has de-motivated pilgrims from the state, primarily those from lower income groups who accumulate their lives' savings for Haj," said a convener on the condition of anonymity.

Emphasising on the removal of GST he said "Since 2017, the cost of Haj has risen by over Rs 40,000 in Bihar. We suspect the Bihar quota will remain unutilised as a lot of people will be unable to cope with such a sharp increase in pilgrimage cost.

Mohammad Ilyas Hussain, chairman of the Bihar State Haj Committee, said: "We suspect that the figures will deteriorate further as the cost has been raised substantially. We will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding withdrawal of GST imposed on Haj flights. But if it is turned down, we have kept all options on the table."