Silami and Hatim Al-Masoudi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – Work on the expansion of the Mataf area and a tunnel to the Zamzam well is taking place at a rapid pace and will be completed soon. A tour of the Grand Mosque on Friday by Okaz/Saudi Gazette revealed that major progress has been made without much inconvenience to worshippers. Workers are working around-the-clock to complete development projects in the Grand Mosque's courtyards before the middle of Shaban when all work has to stop to prepare the Grand Mosque for Ramadan. The movement of worshippers in the Mataf area has not been disrupted despite the fact that the number of Umrah pilgrims has increased by 20 percent this year. Sources said that the tallest crane in the world (200 meters high) will be used in the east courtyards of the Grand Mosque, right in front of the rest rooms. This crane, manufactured in Germany, will transport construction materials from the courtyards to the Grand Mosque without disrupting the movement of Umrah pilgrims and visitors. Around 5,000 workers are racing to complete all the projects on time. __
