A new feature of the plan, copies of which have been distributed among various Tawafa organizations, is that pilgrims arriving at Jamrat by the Mashair train will be regrouped to perform the stoning ritual at all levels of the complex. The plan also focused on avoiding overcrowding of pilgrims at the entrances and exits of the multi-level bridge complex during peak hours, according to Brig. Gen. Zuhair Seibiyah, commander of Civil Defense at Jamrat. He said that more than 1,300 officials will implement the plan, under which pilgrims will be allowed to perform stoning between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. over the remaining four days of the pilgrimage.

“All the arrangements are in place to prevent overcrowding of pilgrims on the ground and first floor of the bridge and disburse them to perform the ritual at all the five levels of the bridge,” he said.

Seibiyah also said the Civil Defense has made special arrangements to receive pilgrims using the Mashair train on the fourth floor of the bridge.

“Then, escalators will be used to take them to other floors as part of measures to avoid congestion and stampedes. With completion of all the five levels, the massive bridge structure has the capacity to handle 400,000 pilgrims per hour,” he said. “It has also virtually multiplied the capabilities of the Civil Defense units to quick intervention in the event of emergency situations."

The Civil Defense commander said the force has doubled its monitoring points from 51 to 102 at the Jamrat facility. Members of the forces at these points will be engaged in overseeing pilgrims’ movements and would rush to help those pilgrims suffering from exhaustion and fatigue.

“They will take such pilgrims to the health centers that have been set up at all levels of the bridge. The members will also undertake emergency medical evacuation. They will be on alert to cope with any emergency situations, such as stampede,” he said while noting that the state-of-the-art facilities at the bridge, including escalators and helipad, have made the mission of his forces much easier in the event of medical evacuation of those injured or affected with serious illness.

Seibiyah urged the Tawafa organizations to strictly enforce the force’s plan for crowd control as well as to ensure performing the ritual only at the time designated for pilgrims under each organization. “The Tawafa organizations should also adhere into the directives of the force to avoid chances of stampede, prevent camping of pilgrims on the bridge or carry baggage together with them," he said.

Seibiyah said that Jamrat Civil Defense force have set up closed circuit TVs and cameras at all the entrances and exits of the bridge to closely monitor the movement of pilgrims entering and leaving the facility after performing the ritual.

“We conducted intensive training programs and workshops for the members of the force well before the beginning of the Haj season. These programs were aimed at enabling the forces to carry out their mission effectively and tackle any emergency situations,” he said.