Arab News reported that the SAR 6.5 billion monorail project linking Makkah with the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah will be ready for use by pilgrims for the Haj by 2010.
A report issued by the Supreme Haj Committee said that "Work on the project began in Muharram and will be ready for use to 35% of its capacity during the Haj season of 1431."
The committee which is chaired by Prince Naif second deputy premier and minister of interior said that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah approved the multibillion riyal project to ease the transportation of more than 3 million pilgrims between the holy sites which have been a big challenge for Saudi Haj managers. The project which is being implemented by a consortium of companies led by China Railway Company will be operational with its full capacity during the Haj season of 2011.
The report said that "The monorail project will help withdraw about 53,000 buses and other vehicles being used by pilgrims coming by land from within the Kingdom and neighboring GCC countries."
The committee said that the monorail would pass by 3 stations in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. The last station in Mina will be on the fourth flour of the Jamrat Bridge. The new rail system will help transport at least 500,000 pilgrims within 6 hours to 8 hours.
Report said that "The monorail will be distinguished for its speed as well as closeness to the pedestrians. It will not affect Mina's tents. The topography of the land has been considered while designing the project."
Dr Habeeb Zain Al-Abidine deputy minister of municipal and rural affairs and secretary general of the Commission for Development of Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Sites said that a feasibility study conducted by an international company had proposed five monorails linking the holy sites.
He said that "The feasibility study suggested the second monorail be built 2 years to 3 years after the construction of the first one." He added that a single monorail would cost SAR 4 billion. The first monorail beginning from Mina will transport nearly 1 million pilgrims including 360,000 Arab pilgrims.