Jeddah: Preparations are complete in the holy city to receive this year’s Hajj pilgrims. Mecca Emir Khalid Al Faisal made the announcement on Tuesday, assessing the preparations so far. A total of 10 lakh pilgrims are expected to attend this year’s Hajj. Eight and a half lakh from abroad and one and a half lakh from home. The first phase of the project to develop the 2,00,000 sq m area of Jabalurahma Hill and the surrounding area is underway. As part of this, a parking area for buses and other vehicles has been set up in the area and lights have been installed in and around Jabalurahma Hill.
The Mina Camp development project has been launched on an area of five lakh square meters. The project covers 20 per cent of the area of the Mina camps. The Ministry of Health has set up 18 hospitals with 3,700 beds in Makkah and the holy cities for the health care of pilgrims. There are also 171 health care centers in the area. Hospitals in Jeddah and Ta’if will also be used for further treatment of pilgrims if required.
The Emir of Makkah confirmed that projects worth over 300 crore riyals have been implemented to increase electricity in Makkah and other holy places in connection with electricity and water, and to facilitate the pumping of about 2000 crore cubic meters of water during the Hajj season. There will be 35 trains plying between Makkah and Jeddah on 30 daily trips. 417 passengers can avail the service on each trip. Increase the number of daily trips if necessary.
The Al Mashair train will benefit 210,000 pilgrims through its services in the holy city. Amir Khalid al-Faisal said 16,000 modern buses had been prepared for the 7,90,000 pilgrims.