Makkah Mayoralty has started cutting off services to properties expropriated for the expansion of the northern courtyards of the Grand Mosque, which will extend a further 380 meters. Demolition of 1,000 buildings is scheduled to begin March 18. The area from Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Al-Ghazzah) Street in the east to Jebel Al-Ka'bah Street (or Al-Shubaikah Graveyard) was on Sunday packed with transport vehicles carrying furniture from homes and goods from shops. The street pavements were covered with evacuated belongings. Estimates of compensation have been referred to the Ministry of Finance in preparation for disbursement. Okaz/Saudi Gazette learnt that the highest estimate is SR350,000 per square meter in the area overlooking the Grand Mosque. __
