MINA: The increase in the number of tunnels at the holy sites has facilitated the traffic flow during this Haj. Three more tunnels were added to the existing five through which vehicles transport pilgrims and goods.
The new tunnels have been instrumental in ensuring smooth vehicular movement but they have also stretched the efforts and increased the responsibilities of the special tunnel security police, a task force that monitors, patrols and resolves issues exclusively in the tunnels that arise from time to time.
“We are tasked with the total safety of vehicles and people using the eight tunnels in the holy sites,” Commander of the Security for the Tunnels at the holy sites Col. Abdul Rahman Al-Aqla said yesterday.
In his opinion the most exhaustive task is the round-the-clock check they keep on pollution levels in the tunnels. “The exhaust fumes that release carbon monoxide are the most dangerous problem in the tunnels. Vehicles, emitting various levels of exhausts, are in constant motion. Though the tunnels are equipped with systems to dissipate these fumes, there are times when the levels can rise to dangerous levels. Therefore, monitoring the pollution levels in the tunnels is very important. There are also systems in place, both inside and outside the tunnels, to warn of excessive pollution,” he said.
“When dangerous level of pollution is detected, the entrances and exits are closed and the evacuation operation starts” he said.
“The three tunnels on King Faisal Road, Jouhara Street and Souk Al-Arab were opened this year while the old ones are the King Fahd Tunnel, the King Abdullah Tunnel, the King Khaled Tunnel in Aziziyah, the King Khaled Tunnel in Mina and the King Khaled Road Tunnel at Mauysem,” Al-Aqla said.
The tunnels are used exclusively by vehicles and are not open to pedestrians, he said, adding that there are other pedestrian tunnels.
“Our men guard the entrances and exits in addition to making continuous patrols inside the tunnels. The patrols generally are needed to ease traffic jams or be on hand in the event of an accident or to provide any kind of needed assistance. The guards at the two ends also keep pedestrians from entering the tunnels,” Al-Aqla said.
Al-Aqla said the control room was the heart of the operation tracking movement in these tunnels. “A control room tracks every inch of the tunnels with the help of television cameras,” he said, adding, “Water hydrants are installed at several points in case of fire, and several emergency exits for the public are clearly highlighted.”
The control room also keeps a watch for breakdowns in the tunnels in order to ensure a quick response. Rescue teams are at the ready and can be sent in quick time to various locations, he said.
The control room also supervises the activities of the tunnel task force which is equipped with a hot line connection to the control room. This measure is put in place in the event of any emergency, he said, noting that the force works in close cooperation with the Civil Defense.
