MAKKAH — A study is under way to construct two-story camps that will accommodate up to 8 million pilgrims, the deputy minister of municipal and rural affairs said here on Monday. Dr. Habeeb Zainulabedeen said the Central Department for Projects Development has prepared a detailed plan for this year's Haj to facilitate the rituals of the pilgrims. He pointed out that six projects have been completed this year and that the ministry was cooperating with all concerned bodies to solve any problems that may arise so that all services are ready for the pilgrims. The new projects will help in reducing overcrowding of Hajis and in monitoring the pilgrims' movements in Jamarat and at train stations. These projects include a link between the Al-She'aibeen and Al-Me'aisem areas to the third floor of the Jamarat Bridge. The project also includes tunnels, and a bridge crossing King Khalid Road to the Jamarat. These tunnels are 16-meter wide and are the widest tunnels ever constructed in Makkah. This project will increase the number of pilgrims using the Jamarat Bridge by 15 percent. In addition, the Al-Aziziyah area was linked to the fourth floor of the Jamarat Bridge, as many pilgrims spend their Haj days in the area. The slaughterhouse was moved to Al-Sharaye area and a 5-km road was constructed to facilitate pilgrims' movements to and from the facility. Zainulabedeen added that parking areas around train stations have been transformed into camping areas for the pilgrims. Train stations and train paths have been fenced to protect them from pilgrims. He pointed out that a detailed study is being conducted in cooperation with other concerned bodies to construct two-storied fireproof tents in Arafat. These tents will occupy an area of 8 million square meters and increase the occupancy of Arafat by 71 percent. He said that older toilets that were built more than 40 years ago will be removed and 15,000 toilets will be installed at various points of the holy sites. He pointed out that around 1,600 students of both genders will participate in the monitoring and transportation of pilgrims. In addition, the ministry has prepared detailed plans for the transportation of pilgrims. These plans were prepared with the assistance of international experts in crowd control.
