MAKKAH: The Traffic Department of Makkah is to begin implementing its Haj traffic plan starting Thursday. The department is to mobilize all of its officers to man checkpoints surrounding the city and direct vehicles on roads leading to the Grand Mosque.
Col. Ahmad Nashi Al-Utaibi, head of the Traffic Department in Makkah, said the plan has been divided into four phases and that the first will begin on Dhul Qaadah 24 (Thursday) until the Dhul Hijjah 4. All areas around the Grand Mosque will be closed to vehicles for half an hour before and after prayers, he said.
The second phase — which is to begin when the first ends until Dhul Hijjah 8 — involves closing roads around the Grand Mosque for one hour before and after prayers.
The third phase of the plan — from Dhul Hijjah 8-9 — involves roads being closed for half an hour before and after prayers. The fourth phase — from Dhul Hijjah 10-20 — involves closing roads for one hour before and after prayers.
He added that vehicles, including buses, that have less than 25 seats would be banned from entering Makkah and the Holy Sites.
