The suspended Mataf bridge will be constantly watched and monitored to ensure the safety of pilgrims, said the Commander of the Makkah Haram Security Forces Maj. Gen. Yahya Al-Zahrani.

“Under a special plan, a number of security men have been posted to positions on the bridge to ensure the safety and security of the worshippers circumambulating on the bridge round the clock,” he said.

The police officers present on the bridge will be accompanied by 60 cadets of the Public Security Training Institute, Al-Zahrani added.

The contracting company, which undertook the construction of the bridge has appointed engineering teams to closely monitor and resolve technical problems that might arise on the bridge, especially when a large number of pilgrims start using it.

“We are keen on implementing sound security and safety measures for the worshippers on this suspended bridge. The orders from the higher authorities in this regard are very clear and we will not swerve from implementing their orders. We will spare no efforts in achieving the vision and aspirations of the rulers,” Bakr Binladin, chairman of the Saudi Binladin Group, said during the experimental opening of the bridge.

The Haram security men will also ensure that no crowding takes place on the bridge. A number of security men have been posted at the entry points of the bridge to regulate the number of wheelchairs entering. The initial capacity of the bridge is 1,700 wheelchairs in an hour.

Some 1.25 million worshipers attended the congregational prayer at the Grand Mosque on Friday. Since early in the morning all the 176 gates of the Grand Mosque were open and ready for worshippers as huge crowds were expected for the penultimate Friday prayer of Ramadan this year. The mosque authority had taken all steps to receive the pilgrims including carpeting the halls and squares and keeping the escalators operating.