Ministry of Municipalities' efforts during Hajj: 30,000 reports and operational tours
The historical context of serving the guests of God
Serving the pilgrims is a great honor and a historical responsibility that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has borne since its founding. With the passage of time, these services have evolved from traditional efforts to relying on the latest digital technologies and artificial intelligence, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Within this framework, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing plays a pivotal role in planning and developing the urban and health infrastructure in Makkah and the Holy Sites, ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for the millions of pilgrims who flock there annually from all corners of the earth.
Activating the field response system for the Hajj season of 1447 AH
Continuing these efforts, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing activated a comprehensive 24/7 field monitoring and response system during the 1447 AH Hajj season. This strategic move aimed to enhance the speed of handling reports and improve operational coordination across all critical locations. The Ministry explained that the system successfully received nearly 30,000 reports through the “Baladi” platform and its associated operational channels. To ensure immediate response, field teams conducted more than 4,500 operational tours daily, in addition to monitoring and addressing approximately 2,000 observations daily. This facilitated rapid decision-making in high-density areas, relying on the integration of operations rooms and digital monitoring systems.
Developing infrastructure and vital facilities
At the local and regional levels, the scale of the infrastructure demonstrates the Kingdom's exceptional capacity for crowd management. As part of its operational plans, the Ministry announced the activation of more than 66 field service centers. Engineering preparations included the construction and development of 20 pedestrian bridges and 18 underpasses, in addition to the development of more than 62 underpasses designated for pedestrians and vehicles. To ensure smooth traffic flow and enhance safety levels day and night, more than 330,000 lighting units and 150,000 light poles were activated in Mecca and the Holy Sites.
Health control and comprehensive emergency plans
Health and food security are of paramount importance and have a direct international impact, ensuring the safe return of pilgrims to their home countries. In this context, the Ministry has intensified its health and food safety monitoring efforts, conducting more than 2,800 inspection visits daily. These efforts have been further supported by the operation of five advanced laboratories with a capacity to test up to 1,300 samples daily. Recognizing the importance of crisis preparedness, the Ministry has confirmed the readiness of the accommodation centers in the Holy Sites, with a capacity of up to 45,000 pilgrims, as part of its comprehensive emergency and field response plans to guarantee the safety and comfort of the pilgrims throughout their Hajj rituals.
