The Ministry of Interior is using eight heavy duty helicopters to monitor and deal with traffic congestion in the central district and roads leading to Makkah, according to a senior official.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Harbi, commander in chief of the ministry's Security Aviation department, said the aircraft conduct several daily flights over the holy city.

The department is working with other security agencies to serve Umrah pilgrims and visitors. "We only seek to provide a suitable atmosphere for worshipers so that they can perform the holy rituals in peace," he said recently.

Al-Harbi said the flights concentrate on the Grand Mosque and the central area because of the huge numbers of vehicles and pedestrians. "Areas with the most congestion are monitored and analyzed, with the security forces following up and submitting immediate reports to bodies on the ground for further procedures. We also make sure that airstrips at hospitals are ready for use if needed," he said.

"Our accumulated expertise and experience qualify us to implement the missions entrusted to us with professionalism and accuracy," he said.

He said the department plans to increase the number of flights during the last days of the month of fasting, especially on Ramadan 27 and during the Eid festivities.

"Eight aircraft will conduct the daily flights according to schedule. There will also be several support aircraft placed on alert and ready to fly from Saudi airbases across the country," he said.

Al-Harbi said many meetings were held to prepare for the missions during Ramadan. "The plans were set out accurately and professionally. This season the aircraft will conduct continuous daily flights that will include the Grand Mosque, the area surrounding it, the roads leading to the mosque, and the highways linking Makkah with Jeddah and Madinah."

"They will monitor and analyze the traffic using high-tech cameras and advanced communication devices, and send immediate reports to the command and control centers for further action," he said.