JEDDAH, 20 September 2006 — The traffic department in Makkah said yesterday that it would deploy more than 2,100 officers in and around the city to control traffic and ensure safety of pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan.
Col. Ahmad Al-Otaibi, director of traffic police in Makkah, said the new traffic plan for Ramadan would come into effect today when vehicles of pilgrims will be directed to eight large parking lots outside the city.
He said the officers would be provided with 308 cars, 200 motorbikes and six tow trucks to carry out their duties, adding that they would work round the clock in four shifts.
The new traffic system is significant as nearly five million pilgrims from within and outside the Kingdom are expected to visit Makkah during the holy month to perform Umrah and take part in Taraweeh and Qiyamullail prayers.
Al-Otaibi said the new system would remain in force until the end of Ramadan.
“We’ll deploy additional traffic officers in all major roads and streets, entry points and parking areas in order to facilitate traffic of pilgrims,” the director said.
A traffic awareness campaign will also be launched, he said, adding that it would target Saudis, expatriates and pilgrims in order to encourage them to follow traffic regulations.
“We have installed 500 traffic awareness billboards in different parts of the city and two large billboards; one at the entrance of Makkah along the Makkah-Jeddah Expressway and the other along the Makkah-Madinah Expressway.”
Traffic officers will distribute more than 200,000 pamphlets among the public in order to enhance their traffic safety awareness.
The department has readied eight parking areas in Sharaie, Mina, Mahbas Al-Jinn, Kudai, Rusaifa, Qeshla, Zahir and Nawariya, the traffic chief said.
“These parking places will be provided with public utility services and guards. We have also made arrangements to operate adequate number of public buses to and from the Grand Mosque.”
