Jeddah Municipality's Ramadan cleaning plan: 4,300 staff and 689 pieces of equipment
The Jeddah Municipality announced its full readiness to welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH, through the adoption of a comprehensive operational plan focused on intensifying cleaning, monitoring, and environmental sanitation efforts. This step comes in response to the anticipated changes in consumption and movement patterns during the holy month, and to ensure the provision of the best services to residents, visitors, and pilgrims.
Jeddah: The gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and a destination for visitors
Jeddah Governorate acquires significant strategic importance during religious seasons, as it serves as the main gateway for pilgrims to Mecca to perform Umrah. This status presents operational challenges requiring exceptional preparations, given the city's influx of large numbers of pilgrims, in addition to the bustling tourism activity in its historical and recreational areas. The Municipality operates within a national framework aimed at improving the urban landscape and enhancing the quality of life, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to serve pilgrims and develop cities.
Mobilizing human and mechanical resources
In detailing the field plan, the Secretariat revealed the allocation of a massive workforce of over 4,300 personnel , including supervisors and field workers, supported by a fleet of 689 pieces of diverse equipment. This equipment includes waste compactors, mechanical sweepers, dump trucks, and loading equipment, all of which have undergone rigorous technical inspections and preventative maintenance programs to ensure their optimal performance, with backup vehicles available for rapid intervention when needed.
Fieldwork strategy and operational flexibility
The General Directorate of Cleaning Projects explained that the plan was based on precise indicators that projected an increase in waste volume of between 15% and 25% during the holy month. To address this challenge, a flexible shift system was adopted to cover varying peak periods, with teams deployed to work before Iftar, after Taraweeh prayers, and during Suhoor, with a particular focus on the evening period, which witnesses the highest levels of human and commercial activity.
Scope of services and targeted locations
The operational plan covers vast areas and vital points in the governorate, including:
- Cleaning efforts have been intensified in 965 mosques and prayer rooms to create a suitable atmosphere for worshippers.
- Serving 107 shopping malls and 30 sports walkways frequented by those fasting.
- Maintaining 602 public parks as recreational spaces for residents.
- Focus on the four axes of the highways leading to Mecca to ensure the comfort of pilgrims.
Fieldwork includes mechanical and manual sweeping, picking up litter, washing sidewalks, and addressing visual pollution issues immediately.
24/7 environmental sustainability
In a related context, the municipality confirmed that the environmental treatment center continues to operate 24 hours a day. The engineered landfill cells have been fully operational, and the electronic scales are running at full capacity to accommodate the continuous flow of waste and treat it according to approved environmental standards. These integrated efforts aim to maintain a healthy and clean environment that reflects the civilized image of Jeddah during the holy season.
