Saudi expands white road project to cool hajj routes
MAKKAH: Saleh Al-Jasser, the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Roads General Authority, launched the cooled pedestrian walkway project in Makkah, which will enhance accessibility services for individuals with disabilities. According to the Roads General Authority, the cooled roads initiative has expanded by 82 percent, building on its initial success since its launch in 2023.
More than 84,000 sq m of roads in Arafat have now been paved using locally sourced recycled materials designed to reduce heat absorption from sunlight. These materials lower surface temperatures by approximately 12°C and reflect 30–40 percent more sunlight during the morning hours, helping to mitigate urban heat islands and providing a more comfortable environment for pilgrims while reducing energy consumption and air pollution.
Furthermore, the growth of flexible rubber roads increased by 33 percent. These surfaces aim to soften asphalt in pedestrian areas, offering particular advantages to older adults. The newly laid section extends from Namira Mosque to Arafat Train Station, raising the overall flexible pavement area to
16,000 sq m. Research conducted by the Road Research Centre has validated the improved comfort and safety of this advanced rubberized asphalt.
The new initiatives feature a green corridor project along the adaptable route, featuring trees planted over 1,200 meters from Namira Mosque to the train station. To enhance air quality and comfort for pilgrims, air-cooling mist systems and water fountains have been installed in collaboration with the Abdulrahman Fakieh Charitable Foundation.
Furthermore, the minister has introduced an accessibility initiative aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities. This initiative features a 4,000-metre pedestrian path that leads to Mount Arafat, built with cooled paving materials designed to minimize vibrations and enhance mobility for users and their companions. The Roads General Authority, the national regulator of Saudi Arabia's Road sector, aims to elevate the quality of roads to rank sixth globally by 2030 and reduce road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people. Saudi Arabia currently boasts the world's leading intercity road connectivity, with a total network exceeding 73,000 km. – AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
All 8,000 Kuwaiti pilgrims have arrived; teams at highest readiness: Hajj Mission Chief
MAKKAH, June 4: Dr. Bader Al-Mutairi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Head of the Kuwaiti Hajj Mission, announced Tuesday that all 8,000 Kuwaiti pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims are part of 60 organized Hajj missions in preparation for the upcoming pilgrimage season. In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Dr. Al-Mutairi confirmed that all participating teams from various Kuwaiti government agencies are fully operational and working around the clock at the holy sites to ensure the safety and comfort of Kuwaiti pilgrims. He noted that preparations at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah have been completed, crediting the efforts of mission teams who have been working diligently since the early stages of planning. These efforts reflect a unified commitment to providing a secure and well-organized environment for pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind. Dr. Al-Mutairi urged all Kuwaiti pilgrims to strictly follow the instructions issued by the Saudi authorities, prepare themselves for the rituals, and fully cooperate with the supervisory and service teams of the Kuwaiti Hajj Mission. The Kuwaiti Hajj Mission comprises representatives from several government and public agencies, including the Ministries of Islamic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Information, and Health. It also includes personnel from the General Fire Department, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, the Public Authority for Youth, and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society—all dedicated to serving the guests of God during the pilgrimage.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Saudi Arabia stops 269,678 Muslims without Hajj permits from entering Makkah
MECCA, Saudi Arabia, June 2, (AP): Saudi Arabia stopped more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Makkah, officials said Sunday, as authorities crack down on illegal journeys into the city. The government blames overcrowding at the Hajj on unauthorized participants. It also says they made up large numbers of those who died in last year's searing summer heat. The number of expulsions highlights the scale of unauthorized pilgrimages - as well as the demand to perform the Hajj. There are currently 1.4 million Muslims in Makkah officially, with more expected to arrive in the days to come. There are fines of up to $5,000 and other punitive measures, like deportation, for anyone performing the Hajj without a permit. The policy includes citizens and those with Saudi residency. At a press conference in Makkah, officials said they had stopped 269,678 people without permits from entering the city. According to the rules, only those with permits are allowed to perform the pilgrimage, even if they live in the city year-round. Officials have also imposed penalties on more than 23,000 Saudi residents for violating Hajj regulations and revoked the licenses of 400 Hajj companies. Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari told the media: "The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.' The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah and involves a series of religious rituals. It's a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to do it. But it has been marred in recent years by concerns about extreme temperatures, with pilgrims performing their rituals outdoors in peak daylight hours. Historically, deaths are not uncommon at the Hajj, which has seen at times over 2 million people travel to Saudi Arabia for a five-day pilgrimage. It has also seen fatal stampedes and other accidents.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
These 14 Countries Are Now Facing Saudi Visa Suspensions — Find Out Why
RIYADH, May 31: In a sweeping policy shift set to impact thousands of foreign workers and international businesses, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of block work visa quotas for nationals of 14 countries. The measure will remain in effect until the end of June 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the upcoming Hajj season. Affected Nations Include India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh The decision, announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, halts the approval of new block work visa quotas for the following countries: India Pakistan Bangladesh Egypt Indonesia Iraq Nigeria Jordan Algeria Sudan Ethiopia Tunisia Yemen Morocco The suspension is part of broader efforts by the Kingdom to manage inbound labor during peak pilgrimage periods and tighten regulatory oversight across immigration and employment sectors. Understanding Block Work Visas Block work visas are quota-based permits that allow Saudi employers to hire a predetermined number of foreign workers. Once approved, these quotas enable businesses to apply for work visas for specific candidates. Under the new restrictions: - No new block visa quotas will be issued for employers targeting the affected countries. - Delays are expected in processing even previously approved quotas. - Applicants with pending work entry visas may face denial or indefinite delays. - Individuals holding valid work visas but who have not yet entered Saudi Arabia may also encounter entry restrictions. Authorities have urged travelers to confirm their visa and entry status with their airline or the nearest Saudi diplomatic mission before making travel arrangements. Strategic Pause Aimed at Regulatory Control The move appears to be strategically timed to coincide with the Hajj season—a period marked by a dramatic increase in travel to Saudi Arabia. Key objectives behind the suspension include: - Regulating the inflow of foreign labor during the pilgrimage season - Preventing unauthorized participation in Hajj by foreign workers - Enhancing immigration compliance and crowd management capabilities While the measure is temporary, it imposes immediate logistical and operational challenges for employers, recruitment agencies, and prospective job seekers across the affected regions. Broader Visa Restrictions Also Introduced In addition to the suspension of block work visas, Saudi Arabia has also implemented temporary restrictions across other visa categories: Umrah Visas Applications from the same 14 countries are currently on hold during peak pilgrimage periods. While electronic systems may accept submissions, actual approvals have become increasingly rare. Family Visit Visas Processing for family visit visas has been suspended or significantly delayed for several countries, leaving many families in limbo with little to no information on the status of their applications. Business Visas Foreign professionals seeking to enter Saudi Arabia for meetings or short-term assignments face increased scrutiny. Many business visa applications are being quietly delayed or denied without official explanation. Tourist Visas As of February 1, 2025, Saudi authorities have stopped issuing multiple-entry tourist visas to citizens of the affected countries. Only single-entry visas are currently being considered. Advice for Prospective Travelers All affected individuals—especially those holding pending or recently approved visas—are strongly advised to reconfirm their eligibility directly with airlines or Saudi diplomatic missions. Airlines are expected to enforce the latest immigration guidelines, and failure to verify status may result in denied boarding or refusal of entry upon arrival.
