Informed sources revealed to Al-Youm newspaper details of a package of strategic development projects planned for the 1447 AH Hajj season, overseen by Kadana Development and Investment Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites. These projects are part of a comprehensive plan aimed at bringing about a qualitative leap in the infrastructure of the Holy Sites.
Development context and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
These accelerated moves come within the framework of the “Serving the Guests of God” program, one of the most important programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to facilitate the hosting of more Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, and to reach 30 million Umrah and Hajj pilgrims annually by 2030. The concerned authorities are working to harness all technical and engineering capabilities to ensure an easy and safe spiritual journey, as development is no longer limited to spatial expansion only, but has extended to include improving the general climate and addressing environmental and geographical challenges.
A revolution in the cooling systems at the Jamarat facility
In detailing the new projects, Kadana explained its intention to implement a massive project to replace traditional air conditioning systems. The plan includes replacing approximately 190 conventional misting columns with modern, highly efficient misting fans at the Jamarat facility. The new technology is capable of serving approximately 180,000 pilgrims per hour.
This technological upgrade aims to reduce temperatures in the surrounding area by up to 8 degrees Celsius, directly contributing to a decrease in cases of heat stress and sunstroke, especially as the upcoming Hajj season coincides with hot summer weather. This project builds upon the successes achieved during the 1446 AH Hajj season, which included the installation of 200 misting fans in the eastern courtyard of the Jamarat.
Expansion of the Mount of Mercy landscaping project
In a related development, the company announced the launch of the second phase of its project to mitigate the effects of heat stress in the Jabal al-Rahma area of Arafat. The project aims to provide a suitable climate for pilgrims as they stand and pray in this sacred place.
The project includes the construction of advanced canopies covering a total area of approximately 14,000 square meters, distributed across 20 canopy units equipped with state-of-the-art cooling systems and misting fans. This system will reduce direct exposure to the scorching sun, thus enhancing the quality of life and environmental sustainability in the Holy Sites.
Geological studies to enhance safety
The development plan also addressed geological safety, with the 1447 AH Hajj projects including in-depth engineering studies to assess the risks of slopes and rockfalls in the Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat areas. The project covers a vast area of approximately 119.6 square kilometers.
A sophisticated monitoring network comprising 506 stations distributed across 81 geotechnical zones will be deployed to provide a precise scientific assessment of potential risks and develop proactive engineering solutions. These steps underscore the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety for pilgrims and guaranteeing the sustainability of its infrastructure in the face of various natural challenges.
