The Ministry of Haj will establish a new pilgrim grouping and monitoring center on the Jeddah-Makkah Highway, said Hatem Qadi, the ministry’s undersecretary for Haj Affairs.

He said the center would be built to the highest standard and the latest technological and mechanical specifications and would start operations next year. The new project will cost about SR9 million and consist of one building for administrative services and the other for support services.

The latter will contain an executive committee for monitoring pilgrim transport, a health care center, a Saudi Arabian Airlines office, Tawafa offices, an electronic grouping office and a Zamzam water office.

It will have eight lanes for buses in order to restrict waiting time to five minutes to complete procedures. The project will also be equipped with restrooms and a mosque that can accommodate 500 worshippers.