Srinagar, April 15 -- Saudi Arabia's decision to slash the Hajj quota by 80 percent has dealt a severe blow to private Hajj service providers in the Kashmir Valley.

Saudi Arabia has slashed India's private Hajj quota by 80%, leaving over 52,000 pilgrims countrywide in lurch.

Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal, General Secretary of the All Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Umrah Tour Operators Association, said the sudden cutback has come as a shock for them.

"We had around 500 pilgrims registered through private Hajj service providers this year. But now, as per the new Saudi directive, only 110 will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage through us," he said.

The unexpected quota reduction has not only derailed months of planning but has also placed both ser...