Work in progress on Haj bridge project

Riyadh: Work is now underway for the execution of the fourth phase of the Jamrat Bridge in Mina, the Saudi Ministry of Haj announced this week.

The total cost of the project amounts to more than 4.2 billion Saudi riyals [about Dh4.1 billion]. The project is expected to help millions of pilgrims perform their Haj rituals with ease.

Earlier in December 2007, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs said that work on the third phase of the development project for Jamrat area was completed. It added that the project includes the second floor of the bridge and other public utility services.

This project was executed at a cost of 840 million Saudi riyals [about Dh823 million], it pointed out.

The multi-story bridge has been designed to prevent overcrowding while providing access to three pillars, which are stoned by pilgrims in a ritual that symbolises the stoning of the devil.

Hundreds of pilgrims were killed and injured in the past few years as a result of stampedes over Jamrat Bridge. The Saudi authorities have been trying hard to control this stampede.

Completion

Saudi officials pointed out that the completion of the fourth phase of the project, scheduled to be completed in 2009, would result in each floor of the building having the capacity to house 125,000 pilgrims an hour.

At a later stage, the second floor would be set aside for pilgrims coming from Makkah. Upon completion, the project, would enable pilgrims to enter directly on to the bridge without crossing the courtyard, a matter which will eliminate the dangers of a stampede.

Works on the expansion projects in Mina and other sacred shrines are an ongoing process. These works start immediately following the Haj season and continue throughout the year, before stopping shortly before the second season begins.