MAKKAH — The Makkah Municipality has approved operational plans and work programs for this year's Haj. According to the municipality, all workers and equipment are ready, and arrangements have been made to ensure things run smoothly during the season. Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar said the municipality has taken experiences from previous years into consideration and incorporated them into this year's plan to ensure needs are meet quickly and problems are avoided. Because of the time limit and the vast number of pilgrims involved, there can't be delays in carrying out the municipality's plan for the Haj season. Teams from the municipality are being supported by teams from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Public Security, as well as temporary health supervisors, including students from local universities and health institutes. Al-Bar said more than 23,000 personnel are involved in implementing the municipality's plan. The plan involves multiple shifts of 13,000 cleaners working 24 hours a day in crowded areas to ensure hygiene. Makkah will have around 7,000 of them, while the remaining 6,000 will be deployed in the holy sites. Central response teams have also been allocated for dealing with emergencies like rains, flooding, fires and to provide support wherever needed. Work will be carried out around the clock during the peak period, which begins on Sept. 6. Additional supervisors will also be on duty during that period and will be provided with necessary equipment such as vacuum cleaners, bobcat shovels, tipper trucks and bulldozers. The municipality will use about 1,000 garbage compactors and more than 100 underground storage sites, able to hold 14,000 tons of garbage, to temporarily store waste in Mina. Over 4,000 small garbage dumpsters will be distributed at holy sites for pilgrims to use. A large number of environmentally friendly and easy-to-use motorbikes and carts will also be available for use in crowded areas. To ensure environmental health and to monitor markets, restaurants and food shops, the municipality will step up inspections and monitoring to ensure they meet hygiene and health regulations.
