Abdul Salam Mashshat, undersecretary of the municipality, told Arab News that the manpower responsible for cleaning and collecting garbage has been increased by 2,000 hands to reach 8,500 persons using 820 vehicles and other garbage processing equipment.

He pointed out that seven temporary garbage collection stations were established in various branch municipalities in Makkah. He added that teams from the municipality, consisting of 300 men, were working round the clock to fight insects using 36 spraying equipment.

Mashshat said 170 garbage disposable boxes were placed in various parts of the holy city, including 120 in the central area around the Grand Mosque, to get rid of the garbage very quickly, specially in congested areas.

“The municipality has deployed all its potential and resources to keep Makkah clean for the guests of God and the visitors,” he said.

Mashshat said special attention will be given to the areas that might generate more garbage such as the car parks and the roads leading to the Holy Mosque.

On the other hand, director of the department of cleanliness at the municipality, Salih Ezzat, said 46,423 tons of garbage were collected in Makkah during the past 20 days compared to 44,922 tons in the same period last year with an increase of 1,500 tons.

“This is an indication of a remarkable rise in the number of pilgrims,” he added.

Salih said more garbage and leftovers will have to be collected during the last days of the holy month as more and more people are expected in Makkah on the nights of Ramadan 27 and 29, which mark the culmination of the fasting month with the Night of Power and completion of the Holy Qur'an during Taraweeh prayers.

He added, Makkah municipality is geared to handle this rush and also the expected increase in scraps as pilgrims depart.