Haj Pilgrims this year will benefit from a number of new projects from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, including almost 36,000 toilets at key holy sites.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Abdullatif Al-Asheikh toured the ministry’s projects in Makkah and the holy sites.

Makkah daily on Tuesday quoted Al-Asheikh as saying that the pilgrims would benefit from a number of development projects that include the expansion of the area around the Jamarat, in addition to the roads and tunnels connecting Makkah with Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

“The slaughterhouses will be working at full capacity and they will include a special unit to dispose of waste, which will use the latest environment-friendly technology,” he said.

The minister has directed his staff to complete all development projects currently under way and make them ready for use well before the beginning of Haj.

The ministry’s projects also include maintaining cleanliness and environmental health. “We will closely monitor the facilities relating to public hygiene, including restaurants, laundry shops, salons and others,” he said.

Al-Asheikh said his ministry is also responsible for preparing water tanks and maintaining the drainage network for rain and floodwater.

“There is complete coordination with the Ministry of Water and Electricity to provide enough water for the pilgrims in Makkah and the holy sites,” he said.

The minister said the cooperation between the two ministries also include lighting the roads and streets.

The ministry’s central department for development projects is carrying out the projects. Saudi Gazette