The Kingdom's efforts in developing infrastructure to serve the pilgrims
As part of the tireless and ongoing efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims to the Holy Mosque, the General Authority for Roads has completed one of the most vital and innovative projects in the Holy Sites. This project involved cooling the asphalt surfaces and pedestrian walkways surrounding the Al-Mashaaer train stations in Mina, in preparation for the 1447 AH Hajj season. This achievement reflects the Kingdom's commitment to harnessing and adapting the latest global technologies to serve the pilgrims, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places serving pilgrims and Umrah performers at the forefront of its strategic priorities.
Historical context and climate challenges in the holy sites
Historically, performing the Hajj pilgrimage has been associated with numerous geographical and climatic challenges, most notably the extreme heat during the summer months in Mecca and the holy sites. Over the decades, the Kingdom has worked to find radical solutions to mitigate the effects of the heat on pilgrims, from providing giant umbrellas and misting systems to modern innovations in road engineering. The importance of these solutions is underscored by the millions of pilgrims who converge simultaneously within a limited geographical area, necessitating advanced crowd management and infrastructure capable of adapting to harsh climatic conditions to protect pilgrims from heat stress and sunstroke.
Details of the roof cooling project in Mina
The General Authority for Roads explained that the total area of the new project is 14,000 square meters, carefully distributed across three strategic and targeted locations within Mina. This work included the creation of dedicated pathways to facilitate the movement of pilgrims, with a particular focus on the elderly and people with disabilities. This precise geographical distribution aims to ease the movement of these valued groups between the train stations and the camps, minimizing the physical strain they might encounter while performing the daily rituals.
Technique used: Homemade white paint
Technically, this project is distinguished by its reliance on innovative and environmentally friendly materials. The authority revealed that the material used for cooling the roads consists of a fully locally manufactured white paint, reflecting the advancement of Saudi Arabia's national industry. This paint has a superior ability to reflect sunlight and reduce the asphalt's heat absorption during long daylight hours. This innovation directly and effectively contributes to lowering surface temperatures by up to 15 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, this paint plays a significant role in cooling the environment around waiting areas and areas with high pedestrian traffic.
The importance and expected impact of the project
Locally, this project enhances the quality of transportation and road infrastructure in the Holy Sites, achieving strategic quality and safety objectives. Regionally and internationally, the success of such projects solidifies the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in crowd management and the application of technology to serve humanity. Providing a comfortable and cool environment for pilgrims from all corners of the earth positively impacts their spiritual experience and affirms to the world that the Kingdom spares no effort in facilitating the performance of the fifth pillar of Islam.
