Extra tracks for buses in five locations to be operational in Makkah

JEDDAH: Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Makkah governor and adviser to King Salman, issued directions to operate extra tracks for bus transportation in five locations in the holy capital to facilitate movement of around 35 million pilgrims going to and from the Grand Mosque during Ramadan.

It has been done to facilitate the mobility of residents of Al-Aziziyah, Al-Naseem and Al-Awali neighborhoods, comers via the third and fourth circular roads, and to make available more routes to expedite their travel.

The Higher Commission for Monitoring Pilgrims’ Transportation has completed all arrangements and procedures.

The arrangements involve public transportation and the crowd mobility in all geographic directions from the squares and courts, in addition to the allocation of sidewalks covered with umbrellas, which will be separate from the movement of vehicles, and to use all available public transportation stations.

The Makkah governor and president of the Central Haj Committee endorsed the detailed plan of the Civil Defense for the month of Ramadan. Prince Abdullah bin Bandar was familiarized with the mechanisms of implementing the plan in the field.

The Civil Defense plan is aimed at ensuring the safety of the pilgrims through a previously setup work plan, which includes several elements, the most important of which the application of prior inspections and operating field patrols to make sure of the readiness of housing dedicated to shelter visitors of Makkah, and their provision of safety means.

This is in addition to the safety of crowded shops and places that are most frequented by Umrah pilgrims, worshipers and visitors.

The plan, which is being carried out by 5,000 Civil Defense personnel, supported by light and heavy machinery and equipment, focuses on ensuring the safety of the public, in addition to preventive surveillance and rapid intervention, firefighting measures through fixed, mobile and seasonal firefighting units, as well as rescue and civil protection, training, awareness, support and coordination.

In addition, several command centers will be operational.

Meanwhile, the plan enhances the dissemination of rapid intervention teams and motorcycles for initial engagement in the central area, alongside the firefighting and rescue teams positioned throughout the holy capital.

Specialized teams will be on alert to deal with rescue work and any incident involving hazardous materials.