The General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques revealed that the demolition work taking place as part of the ongoing expansion of the "mataf" (area for circumambulation around the Kaaba) has reached about 70 percent of the total works so far, indicating that the new foundations are undergoing extensive studies which will begin in the next two weeks.

Head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais said: "This gigantic project is a major challenge that exemplifies the greatest potential in engineering, technical and financial expertise after the completion of approximately 70 percent of the demolition work on the eastern and northeastern side of the mosque. The remainder of the removal work will be completed within the next two weeks and then the new foundational construction work will start immediately."

He stressed the fact that extensive studies have been undertaken to make sure that the quantity and quality of the water flowing into the well of Zamzam is not affected, in addition to avoiding any errors that could lead to environmental changes in the basin of the Valley of Ibrahim, as well as the surrounding area and near the well of Zamzam.

Al-Sudais pointed out during his inspection tour of the project yesterday that the measures taken by the Presidency toward the well of Zamzam coincide with the growing demand for water consumption of Zamzam. This goes hand in hand with the completion of the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' expansion project of the Grand Mosque and its surrounding squares. Al-Sudais also pointed out that the pumping tests and studies of the Zamzam water which were conducted before and after the implementation of the expansion project — under the follow-up and monitoring of the geological survey in coordination with the presidency — has a profound effect in reinforcing that there is no environmental impact in terms of water quality or flow rate at the cross section of valley with the expansion project.

Al-Sudais requested the contractor of the project to double efforts to ensure the speedy completion of the work on the first phase of the expansion before the advent of Ramadan in early July.