MAKKAH, 31 December 2004 — Haj Minister Iyad Madani visited the holy sites in Makkah including the Jamarat Bridge to check on the final preparations for this season’s pilgrimage.
The minister said his inspection tour was aimed at having first-hand knowledge of the progress of work on the projects that are under way in the area.
Madani said that the modifications introduced to the Jamarat Bridge including to the structure of the bridge and the shape of the basin from a round shape to an oval shape would help prevent overcrowding on the bridge.
Some new modifications introduced on the bridge include new emergency exits and new signs to increase awareness among pilgrims on best times to perform the stoning ritual and to give warnings to pilgrims when the bridge is crowded.
The Ministry of Haj will work with Haj institutions to set a schedule on the basis of nationality for the organized performance of the ritual, Madani said.
Madani also inspected tunnels and roads in the holy site in Makkah and special roads for pilgrims’ transportation as well as flood water drainage projects.
