MAKKAH: Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of public security, said yesterday security authorities have completed all preparations in Makkah and Madinah for this year’s Haj.
“The routes to be used by pilgrims are also covered under the broad security plans,” Al-Qahtani said at a press conference at the police headquarters in Makkah.
Col. Khaled Muqbil, commander of traffic in Mina, Col. Muhammad Al-Qahtani, commander of traffic in Muzdalifah, Col. Saad Al-Jabali commander of traffic in Arafat, Col. Ahmad Al-Otaibi, commander of the traffic in Makkah city, and Lt. Col. Abdullah Al-Basami, commander of traffic restrictions in the holy sites, were also present at the press briefing.
“No car carrying less than nine people will be allowed to enter the holy sites. Cars without permits to enter the holy sites would be turned back at the entry points. Motor cycles will also have to carry special permits,” Lt. Col. Al-Basami said.
Ambulances, water trucks and other utility vehicles will be allowed to enter the holy sites only with endorsement from the official agencies governing utility services, Al-Basami said.
He added that special traffic restrictions would be implemented on Al-Aziziah Road, Al-Shissha, Al-Rawda Bridge, the intersection of Prince Majed Street and King Fahd Road, and crossing points on Keddi Road, Uthman Bridge until the entry point to Muzdalifah, Taif Road, Abdullah Khayyat Road and King Khaled Road. Restrictions would also be imposed on other roads if the situation warranted, Al-Basami said.
He added that the King Faisal Bridge would be opened for traffic this year on an experimental basis.
Col. Al-Otaibi, commander of the traffic police in the city, said the traffic scheme in the central area of Makkah is being implemented in three phases. During the first phase, which takes place Nov. 23 to Dec. 1, the roads leading to the central area would be closed half an hour before and after each obligatory prayer. In the second stage, which will begin on Dec. 2 and continue until Dec.10, the roads leading to the Grand Mosque would be closed one hour before and after the obligatory prayers. From Dec. 11, the roads would be closed two hours before prayers.
Col. Al-Qahtani warned that no vehicle would be allowed to carry pilgrims illegally, such as riding on the tops of over-loaded vehicles.
The Passport Department said yesterday that more than 1.3 million foreign pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom by Friday. Maj. Gen. Salim Al-Belaihed, director general of passports, said 1,220,619 pilgrims arrived by air, 85,737 pilgrims by land and 16,927 by sea.
An Egyptian vessel carrying around 1,000 pilgrims docked at Yanbu port yesterday. Capt. Abdullah bin Awwad Al-Zamaie, director general of the port, and other government officials welcomed the pilgrims on board Wadi Al-Nile.
— With input by Muhammad Al-Sheikh
