Hajj Preparations in Full Swing: Holy Sites Geared Up to Serve Pilgrims with Improved Services

Makkah: Efforts are under way to prepare the holy sites for this year's Hajj 1445 AH. Camps have been fully equipped and furnished to cater to all the needs of the pilgrims, and ensure that they are able to perform their rituals comfortably and peacefully. Public and private sectors are working together, following comprehensive operational plans, to meet the needs of pilgrims and raise the standard of services. These plans cover all administrative and technical aspects to meet the needs of pilgrims, as per the directives of the wise leadership. Furthermore, the Holy Makkah Municipality has made extensive preparations to ensure a smooth Hajj season. Field teams are working tirelessly to supervise and maintain roads, lighting, sidewalks, and public facilities for safe and optimal use. To guarantee road quality, specialized engineers and technical teams conducted thorough tests on the routes leading to the holy sites. The municipality also focused on maintaining light poles; there is a total of 4,767 poles a nd lighting towers at the holy sites. Moreover, 123 bridges in Makkah and 20 bridges at other holy sites underwent maintenance, and 58 tunnels (48 for vehicles and 10 for pedestrians) spanning 34,000 meters have been completed. To improve services, the municipality has strategically positioned and equipped service centers at all holy sites, reinforcing them with additional equipment, machinery, and staff. Tawaf companies have also prepared their field centers and established modern camps that meet international standards. These camps are insulated, fire resistant, and each tent has cooling systems, to ensure the comfort of pilgrims. Safety measures, support services, and high-quality meals are also provided. Efforts are also being made to ensure the proper functioning of public transport at the holy sites. Tawaf companies are conducting tests to inspect roads and public transport buses routes, to ensure that they adhere to transportation plans for pilgrims, and respect schedules and timings set by The Ge neral Syndicate of Cars in Makkah. Furthermore, the Roads General Authority, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, is expanding the cooling asphalt experiment in the holy sites. This initiative has already been implemented near the Namira Mosque, in the Arafat area, covering an area of 25,000 square meters. The experiment aims to lower temperatures in residential areas, reduce the consumption of energy needed to cool buildings, and create a more comfortable environment in waiting and gathering areas. Source: Saudi Press Agency