Makkah project aims at ‘balanced development’

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal stressed the need to double the efforts to implement the King Abdullah Project for Makkah Construction and Holy Sites Development in a meeting on Tuesday. “The project should be completed so that it can offer the highest level of services to pilgrims. The project should also preserve the indigenous and Islamic identity of the locations but in keeping with the a modern image,” Prince Khaled said while chairing the ministerial committee of the King Abdullah project in his office in Jeddah on Tuesday. Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb, Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy, Transport Minister Jabarah Al-Seraisry and Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Husayen attended the meeting. “The project will help achieve a balance in the development of Makkah, the holy sites and the central zone around the Grand Mosque,” Prince Khaled said while briefing the ministers on the details of the project. The integrated transport system with trams and other means of rapid transport, included in the project, will solve traffic problems experienced by Makkah residents and the pilgrims during peak seasons. The prince said the first phase of the project would be completed in four years and the time schedule would be strictly adhered to. Its completion will also coincide with the expansion of the northern courtyard of the Grand Mosque, four circular roads and the road network linking the ring roads. It will also coincide with the development of some unplanned neighborhoods through which the road network would pass. The prince also announced the creation of an executive committee to follow up the implementation of the project with periodic meetings. The prince also urged all related ministries to step up their efforts to complete the project and related activities so that best service could be offered to pilgrims. The meeting was also briefed on the tasks of the Makkah and Holy Sites Development Authority. The authority’s responsibilities included drawing up of the policies for the development of Makkah and holy sites, conducting studies and planning for the development of Makkah and holy sites  from urban, residential, economic, social, cultural, environmental and security angles. The authority will also prepare a unified urban database for Makkah and holy sites. It will also participate in the execution of the infrastructure projects such as roads, streets and utilities in both the places and will attract investors. It will also coordinate with all related departments for the success of its tasks. The authority will also approve any plans related to development or execution of  projects in the area.