“The remaining two projects will be completed within two weeks,” the governorate said in a statement.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal emphasized the keenness of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Naif toward the projects, adding they have been following them with utmost interest.
“We have been working on these emergency projects 24 hours a days, seven days a week, for the last three months,” the governor said. The work started after the municipality identified dangerous spots where rainwater flooding usually occurs.
“We have implemented these emergency solutions to reduce the impact of floods after heavy rain occurs. We are now working on a permanent solution with a consulting company,” Prince Khaled said.
Ahmed Al-Suleim, director general of the project for tackling rainwater and floods, said the 12 projects were implemented at the intersection of Prince Majed Street with Palestine Street, the King Abdullah Road underpass, the King Fahd Road underpass, Hail Street, Khaled bin Walid Street, the intersection of Andalus Street with Alhamra Street, and the Prince Majed Road underpass.
Measures have also been taken to tackle possible floodwater at the intersection of King Fahd Road with Prince Muhammad Street (Tahlia), the Prince Majed underpass along Rawda Street, the intersection of Prince Majed Street with Abdullah Sulaiman and Bakhashab Street, the intersection of Prince Majed Road with Ziyad bin Omar Street and the Sari Street underpass along Madinah Road.
“Efforts are under way to raise the water pumping capability at seven underpasses,” Al-Suleim said.
He said a number of workshops with the participation of officials from related government departments have been organized to discuss permanent anti-flood solutions.
“Permanent solutions will include the construction of dams and canals and development of underdeveloped districts and new transport and road networks,” Al-Suleim said.
The government has contracted a specialized consulting company to study rainwater flood problems in the city and construction of infrastructure for underdeveloped districts.
The new project work included digging work covering more than 750,000 square meters, installation of 22,000 meters of cement and iron pipes, building of 160 inspection rooms, inspection and cleaning of 77,000 meters of pipelines, and the importing of 41 pumps.
“The material required for the projects were imported by land, sea and air,” an informed source told Arab News. As many as 2,600 workers are involved.
