Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Walkalators will be used to transport pilgrims in tunnels linking Al-Muaisim area to the third floor of the Jamarat Bridge, according to a sernior official. Habeeb Zainulabideen, deputy minister of municipal and rural affairs and the general supervisor of the Mashaer projects, said walkalators will be used in two new underground corridors, which are 1 km long. He said expansion work is in progress at the Mashaer Train Station 1 in Muzdalifah. He said the tunnels linking Azizyah neighborhood with the Jamarat Bridge have been completed. Two 16-meter-wide, 300-meter--long tunnels linking the Azizyah neighborhood with the second floor of Jamarat Bridge will allow pilgrims to reach the Jamarat without the need to pass through Mina. Zainulabideen also said 252 toilets have been constructed in Mashaer and Minister of Municipalities Prince Mansour Bin Miteb will inspect the projects. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Haj has set new conditions for foreign buses entering the country, Al-Hayat newspaper reported. The ministry has notified pilgrims service companies that rented foreign buses should meet a number of conditions to ensure the safety of pilgrims during their trips to Makkah and the holy places. The buses should not be more than 10 years old and should have at least 45 seats. The buses should also have permits to enter the country and they should enter from the entry point designated in the permits. They should also have visible stickers naming the rented company, and drivers and their assistants must possess the proper visas that carry the license plate number. The buses are also required to carry an inspection certificate from an authorized body in the country of registration. The ministry has also stressed that rented buses should have luggage areas, emergency exits, bathrooms and be air conditioned. It said the rented buses must meet certain safety requirements. They should have an air pressure gauge, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, tire changing tools, emergency tools and at least one spare tire.
