Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud visits the General Transport Center for Hajj Operations
Today, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, visited the General Transport Center of the Royal Commission for the City of Makkah and the Holy Sites in Arafat. Upon his arrival, the prince was warmly welcomed by His Excellency Engineer Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Public Transport Authority, along with His Excellency Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Acting Head of the Public Transport Authority. Engineer Saleh bin Ibrahim al-Rashid, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites, was also present.
During the visit, His Royal Highness received a comprehensive briefing on the transportation system’s operations for this year’s Hajj season. The discussion highlighted various planning, operational, and control mechanisms managed by the center, which include central command rooms and auxiliary control centers. These facilities play a pivotal role in organizing crowd movements and directing shuttle buses, ensuring smooth transit through the application of real-time data analysis tools and direct surveillance systems.
The Minister of Interior was particularly interested in the interactive map outlining the pathways used to transport pilgrims between Mina and the Grand Mosque during the days of Tashreeq. This map is critical for regulating shuttle transport and determining closure timings for each route, thus enhancing the operational efficiency for the influx of pilgrims.
It is essential to note that the General Transport Center is dedicated to organizing and administering the transportation network in Makkah and the Holy Sites. This operation incorporates multiple modes of transport, including shuttle services, single and double return routes, and the Mashair Train, all coordinated in direct collaboration with over ten governmental entities to ensure the functional integration of the Hajj system.
The center’s responsibilities extend to overseeing the influx of pilgrims onto the Mashair Train via a system of color-coded cards, developed in conjunction with the Saudi Railways Company (SAR). Moreover, it supervises the implementation of the operational plan for the transport stations and routes, identifying locations for emergency response centers in coordination with relevant authorities. An impressive total of 71 emergency response centers have been set up across the Holy Sites, executed by the Kadana Development and Investment Company.
The visit was attended by several notable dignitaries, including His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayaf, Acting Deputy Minister of Interior, His Excellency Dr. Hisham bin Abdulrahman al-Falih, Assistant Minister of Interior, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed al-Batal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, and Major General Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Basami, Director General of Public Security and Chairman of the Security Committee for Hajj. Additionally, Dr. Salah Saqr, the Deputy Emir of Makkah for Hajj Affairs, and Major General Engineer Ali bin Mohsen al-Zahrani, Director General of the General Directorate of Traffic, were also in attendance.
This significant visit underscores the commitment of the Saudi leadership to ensure the safety, efficiency, and comfort of pilgrims during the Hajj season, showcasing the extensive planning and resources dedicated to this monumental event.
