Fifty-eight-year old Fahad Ali from Lalmonirhat, an intending pilgrim, has already wasted around Tk 3,000 during his stay at the camp at Ashkona since December 25.

Despite the promises made by his agent to ensure his visa with confirmed plane ticket by December 27, confirmations on these are still pending.

The agent had also assured him of bearing his food and other expenses during his stay at the camp. "But they did not even come to meet me here," Ali told Star City. "I have been able to communicate the agent over the cellphone, but to no avail."

Ali also tried to gather information about probable flight details. "But I failed to do this as the security men stopped me at the entrance to the airport. We are still uncertain about when we will be flying to Saudia Arabia," he added.

Rahimul Bari, a 64-year-old intending pilgrim from Bogra, said he had to sell his property to cover the hajj expenses. "I have already paid the major amount to the Moallem (agent) for the passport, tickets and travel expenses from Bogra to Dhaka."

"But after coming to Dhaka I have to spend lot more money to ensure my ticket and the meet other expenses," he said adding that he has already called his family members at Bogra and asked for additional funds.

Motin Miah arrived at the camp from Jamalpur on the night of January 2 along with 40 other fellow pilgrims from the same region. "I don't know what will happen as we read in newspapers that flights are still quite scarce," said an anxious Motin Miah.

Hajj camp officials complained that they are facing great difficulties performing their regular duties due to the huge crowd of pilgrims.

"We still do not have a confirmed number of the non-ballottee pilgrims who are currently residing here," said Abi Abdullah, hajj officer at the camp.

But some senior officials estimated that the number was well over 3,000 and increasing until the night of January 2. The pilgrims have already occupied all space on the six floors of the camp near the Zia International Airport.

The pilgrims are also suffering due to the high food prices at the camp. The only canteen at the camp is charging the same prices as restaurants outside the camp charge.

"We expected that food would be provided here on subsidised rate for the stranded pilgrims," said a pilgrim on condition of anonymity.

Well-off pilgrims are spending on foods from their own savings while the less fortunate are living on cheap and dry foods such as chira (flattened rice), muri (puffed rice) and biscuits that they had brought with them.

Most pilgrims complained that the volunteers and officials of different sections at the camp remain absent most of the time.

"We have been waiting here since 4:30 in the afternoon seeking some help. But its 7:00pm and we see no volunteer," said Md Akash Ahmed, the son of a pilgrim.

Long queues of pilgrims waiting for service were found at the medical section, the information centre and other sections of the camp.

Camp authorities pointed out that the security measures that the government had assured them were not being maintained properly at the camp.

"People are walking in and out of the camp with ease. Most of them are not being checked properly," said a senior official at the camp on condition of anonymity.

"Because of the huge rush of pilgrims, their relatives and travel agents, we have decided to check only those who are carrying luggage and suspicious objects," said an on-duty police officer at the camp.

When asked about the mismanagement, Abdullah said: "The government is taking drastic measures and hopefully the crisis will be solved within the January 6."

The camp officials and policemen at the camp complained that some agents are trying to take goods illegally to Saudi Arabia inside the luggage of pilgrims.

"We have already caught some 70 pilgrims who had onions, garlic, vegetables and food items in their luggage," said Abdullah.

The pilgrims said their agents had asked them to carry those in their luggage and hand over to the relatives and employees of the agents in Saudia Arabia.

"In return, most of these pilgrims were assured a prompt visa and ticket processing. The innocent pilgrims have no idea about the kind of trouble they may fall into after reaching Saudi Arabia," said Abdullah.