MAKKAH — The third and final phase of the King Abdullah Project for Expansion of the Mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) is progressing in full swing, said Muhammad Al-Waqdani, undersecretary for project management at Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques. A steel foundation is being constructed at the area opposite the King Fahd Expansion. “There is no delay so far. The concrete will be poured on the foundation this week or the beginning of next week,” Al-Waqdani said. The first two phases of the project were completed within the stipulated period of time. The expanded facility can now accommodate 70 percent more pilgrims. Demolition of the old structure of the Grand Mosque between the Safa hillock and the central area facing the King Fahd expansion structure, including the King Abdulaziz Gate with two minarets over it and three floors, started in November as part of the third and final phase of the expansion. With the completion of this phase, the total area of the project will be 81,567 square meters. The third phase will consist of 22 escalators, 12 lifts for the disabled and elderly pilgrims, and Zamzam water drinking areas. The new structure will have gates much wider than the existing ones to facilitate the smooth flow of pilgrims and crowd management on a larger scale, especially during the peak Haj and Umrah seasons, when the gates in the southern direction of the mosque are crowded.
