Makkah expansion: Saudi to invest SR200bn, aim is to accommodate 7m pilgrims

Saudi Arabia is planning to pump SR200 billion (Dh198 billion) into projects to expand sacred places in the Western town of Makkah to more than double their capacity to accommodate seven million Muslim pilgrims after 30 years.

The first phase of the project, part of a long-term development blueprint for Makkah, will cost SR100 billion and boost capacity to five million pilgrims in the next 10 years.

The Gulf Kingdom’s supreme Muslim scholars committee has already given the green light for the ambitious project and work will involve all places where pilgrims perform Haj rites every year, including Mina, Mount Arafat and Mozdalifa.

“The total cost of the project is estimated at SR200 billion and it will allow Makkah to accommodate seven million pilgrims every year,” the Saudi Arabic language daily Al Eqtisadiah said, quoting Jamal Shakdar, Mina project director.

He said the project would take into consideration the “sacred” nature of all places, adding that it includes more tents, houses, transport means and health services.

He said the project, one of the largest infrastructure development ventures in the Kingdom, would create nearly 100,000 new jobs in various sectors, including food catering, hospitality, health and transport.

Nearly two million Muslims from Saudi Arabia and other countries converged on Makkah this week to perform this year’s Haj rituals.

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