Beirut: The initial cost of the development project of the holy sites in Saudi Arabia is estimated at 22 billion Saudi riyals ($5.87 billion, Dh21.55 billion), Saudi-based Al Eqtisadiah daily reported citing Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz, the kingdom's second deputy prime minister and interior minister.
These projects will provide in a few years from now better amenities to pilgrims in the holy city of Makkah such as easier transportation through various means, especially trains, in addition to improvements and expansions in the holy sanctuary and around it, Abdul Aziz who is also chairman of the Haj Supreme Committee, said.
Combined revenue
Meanwhile, the combined revenue, before operating expenses and other costs, of pilgrim transportation companies operating under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia's General Syndicate of Cars totalled 600 million to 650 million riyals this pilgrimage season, Jeddah-based Okaz daily reported yesterday citing an executive.
These companies transported nearly 1.65 million pilgrims during the first phase of the pilgrimage season, the paper reported, citing Mohammad Jawherji, chairman of the General Syndicate of Cars which is a union of pilgrim transportation companies.
The pilgrim transportation companies, whose investments exceed 16 billion riyals, operate more than 19,200 buses with a combined capacity of 900,000 seats, Jawherji said, according to the daily.
