Minister of Hajj and Umrah Inspects Several Development Projects in the Holy Sites
وزير الحج والعمرة يتفقد عددًا من المشاريع التطويرية في المشاعر المقدسة
His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, inspected several ongoing development projects in the Holy Sites during a field tour to review the progress of work and assess the readiness of the operational system in preparation for the Hajj season of 1447 H. The tour included several vital projects implemented by Kidana Development and Construction Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites. His Excellency reviewed the progress of the Emergency Hospital Project ""Phase Two,"" with a capacity of up to 400 beds, aimed at enhancing the healthcare system in the Holy Sites and improving medical readiness and response during the Hajj season. He also inspected the Humanization of the Holy Sites Project, which aims to improve the urban landscape and enhance the quality of the spatial environment to increase pilgrim comfort and meet the objectives of developing the Holy Sites. The project focuses on creating more spacious and flexible urban spaces, providing comfortable areas that meet pilgrims’ needs, addressing visual distortions, and applying smart solutions to create an integrated, sustainable human-centered environment that enhances service quality in the Holy Sites. The tour included a visit to the Pilgrim Rest Areas Project, designed to provide service facilities and equipped rest areas along walking paths to reduce the hardship of movement for pilgrims. Phase Two includes new rest areas, seating arrangements, modern shelters, cooling fans, and commercial units, along with comprehensive improvements to paths and supporting services over an area of 36,000 square meters, following Phase One implemented last Hajj season 1446 H covering 30,000 square meters. His Excellency also reviewed the Heat Stress Mitigation Project around Mount Arafat, aimed at enhancing service quality for visitors and guests of Allah and reducing the impact of high temperatures, as well as the Heat Stress Mitigation Project near Namirah Mosque, which includes engineering and environmental solutions to create a more comfortable environment for pilgrims. During the tour, the Minister visited several sites offering interactive and cultural experiences, including Kidana Station, the Jamarat Exhibit, Ain Zubaidah, and the Kidana Path, which highlight the historical and human dimensions of the Holy Sites and provide informative and cultural content to enrich the visitor experience. These projects are part of an integrated system of development initiatives in the Holy Sites, reflecting the great care the Kingdom and its leadership provide for serving the Guests of Allah, enhancing infrastructure and services for pilgrims, and raising the readiness of the Holy Sites while advancing the Hajj experience according to the highest operational and service standards.