MECCA l U/C l Al-Masha'er Metro Project.

[Roukaya19]

King Abdulaziz Public Library present

The Hajj

New website : kapl-hajj.org

Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has given directives to commence a major expansion of Al-Haram Mosque.

With this in mind, The King Abdulaziz Public Library, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has launched an initiative to inform and update the global community of this ground breaking expansion project. As part of this initiative The King Abdul Aziz Public Library has partnered with the British Museum, London UK, to launch the “Hajj Exhibition – Journey to the heart of Islam”

The new kapl-hajj.org website www.kapl-hajj.org is a wider part of this initiative to provide information, news and updates as well as feedback from the global community on their personal experiences.

This website endeavours to provide a rich resource of text and media not only of the current work taking place but also of both historic and future plans of the Hajj expansion program, to provide pilgrims with a peaceful and safe spiritual journey to the heart of their Islam, the Hajj.

Very interesting website with beautiful pictures!


The Sacred Sites Rail Project

In order to complete the rituals of the Hajj, pilgrims are required to move between several locations in the vicinity of Makkah al-Mukarramah, including the Holy Mosque itself, Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, within a precise temporal and geographical framework. The means of transporting pilgrims between these sites have changed along with the changing times.

In modern times, buses have played an important role in pilgrim transportation. Because they have been the primary means of transportation for pilgrims, certain problems have arisen. These problems include such negative aspects as traffic congestion, long periods of waiting required for transfer between sites, and an increase in levels of environmental pollution, all of which have necessitated turning to more modern and efficient means of transportation between the sacred sites.

The Sacred Sites Train

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz ordered the construction of the sacred sites train network in order to assist in the transport of pilgrims between the sacred sites and thereby reduce the problem of traffic jams and all other negative aspects which accompany them.

At the present time, the train connects Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. Its primary aim is to lessen dependence on buses to move pilgrims between the sacred sites. It is expected that the train will replace 30,000 buses and will contribute greatly to increasing the safety level of pilgrim movement while also transporting large numbers of pilgrims within a short time frame as compared to traditional methods of transport. This will also contribute to a smoother flow of traffic for those buses that remain in service.

The train travels between nine main stations in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, beginning with three stations in Arafat, followed by three stations in Muzdalifah, and finishing with final three stations in Mina.
The first of the three stations in Mina is located at the beginning of the sacred site coming from Muzdalifah, while the second station is situated in central Mina, and the third and final station is located near the fourth floor of the Jamarat Bridge building in Mina.

The sacred sites train allows easy access and departure and moves at high speed on a route readily accessible to pilgrims. The train operates on an elevated double track and takes into account the local geography, avoiding wadis and floodplains. Every elevated station is equipped with two waiting areas for pilgrims, each of which has a maximum capacity of 3000 people; while a further waiting area has been provided at ground level to assist in organizing passengers.

All waiting areas are equipped with safety measures as well as climate control. In summary, the sacred sits train is an outstanding achievement in the history of Hajj transportation where it is possible to transport half a million pilgrims in only six hours which makes it the highest capacity train in the world. This is another example of the services which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers to the pilgrims from across the globe.

[Mesch]

Nice interior pics

[Naif Saudi]

Everything is amazing in the train except for the external shape

[Roukaya19]

New Saudi metro to ease Haj traffic

449.2km rail system will reduce congestion caused by about 70,000 buses during pilgrimage


Pilgrims using the new Makkah Metro. The capacity of the Makkah metro
will be 70,000 to 80,000 persons per hour in one direction.

February 2, 2012

Dubai: Saudi Arabia's new metro system will ease traffic congestion during the annual Haj pilgrimage, a top official has said.

The Haramain High Speed Rail project, which is under construction, will be a 449.2km high-speed inter-city system linking Madinah and Makkah.

Each year three million to four million pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj.

During the Haj around two million people come from abroad by air and an estimated one million come by road.

During this period, Makkah, which has a resident population of 1.7 million, experiences high congestion from the 70,000 vehicles that transport the pilgrims between the sites of the pilgrimage.

"The number of pilgrims is increasing. We have about 70,000 buses moving between [three holy places].

"It's very difficult to transport more than three million pilgrims in a very limited time and space," said Salim Al Bosta of the Central Directorate for Development of Projects at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

"The target group of the metro system will be the pilgrims from inside the country, from the Gulf states and pilgrims coming by land by bus," he added.

Shuttle transport from Arafat to Muzdalifah, which is about 12km, can take six to eight hours, and in some cases up to 10 hours because of the congestion.

Long hours

Around 25 per cent of pilgrims move between the holy places on foot to avoid spending long hours in vehicles on the roads. In the past, the high density of worshippers has resulted in some pilgrims being trampled to death.

The capacity of the Makkah metro will be 70,000 to 80,000 persons per hour in each direction, while the shuttle bus services reach a capacity of 10,000 persons per hour in each direction. The electric trains will transport pilgrims at a speed of 320 km/h. The system will have nine stations and will cater to the pilgrimage route along Makkah, Mina, Muzdalifah and Jabal Al Rahmah.

"To solve the transport problem to and from Al Mashaaer we need three train lines from Arafat to Muzdalifah to Mina, and in the future to the Grand Mosque," said Al Bosta.

The line will also be built keeping in mind development projects such as the extension of the Grand Mosque.

http://gulfnews.com/business/general...affic-1.974661

[I Know]

Good project, need it up and running to ease the flow of people, will help when first line is expanded to other parts too

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

Thanks for sharing...

[AL_FAYHAA SPORT]

حركة الحجاج بواسطة القطارات .. كانت ناجحة
واستطاعوا ان يخفف اثار الزحام فى موسم الحج
كما فى العامين الماضيين

[Naif Saudi]

أسعار التذاكر تتراوح بين 10 و15 ريالاً للجولة الواحدة
7 جهات تدرس تشغيل قطار المشاعر في جولات سياحية بداية رمضان القادم


خطة لتشغيل قطار المشاعر في رمضان القادم(عدسة ـ محمد حامد)مكة المكرمة - هاني اللحياني

تتحرك 7 جهات حكومية بمشاركة إمارة منطقة مكة المكرمة ووزارة النقل والهيئة العامة للسياحة والآثار ووزارة الحج والإدارة العامة للمرور للخروج بتصور كامل للاستفادة من تشغيل قطار المشاعر المقدسة في شهر رمضان المقبل الذي يمثل ذروة موسم العمرة. وقال وكيل وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية المشرف العام على المشاريع التطويرية في المشاعر المقدسة الدكتور حبيب بن زين العابدين ل"الرياض": تشارك الوزارة بعد 10 أيام في اجتماعات لجنة النقل بإمارة منطقة مكة المكرمة لبحث آلية التشغيل في الموسم، مشيراً إلى أن هناك أفكارا للاستفادة من تشغيل قطار المشاعر طوال أيام العام. وبين زين العابدين أن الجولة السياحية تشمل عرفات ومزدلفة ومنى ومن ثم العودة إلى محطة الاستقبال وتتراوح أسعار التذاكر بين 10 و 15 ريالا لكل جولة.

وأضاف أن الوزارة تنفذ مشروع بناء سلالم متحركة ومصاعد جديدة ومعابر لمرور الركاب لتعزيز بنية القطار في المشاعر وتسهيل الوصول لمحطات القطار في ذروة الزحام وتجاوز التلبك المروري في أيام الحج داخل المشاعر المقدسة.

من جانبه أوضح مدير عام المرور اللواء سليمان العجلان أن مرور العاصمة المقدسة يعمل على تعزيز مثل هذه الاتجاهات لارتفاع نسبة استخدام المركبات غير المصرحة في نقل المعتمرين، مشيراً إلى أن قرار مجلس الوزراء ساعد المرور في منع 57 ألف مركبة من دخول مكة العام الماضي إضافة إلى وجود 18 ألف حافلة غير نظامية تعمل في النقل بمكة المكرمة وتفد من مناطق أخرى. وأضاف أن دراسة أكدت أن كل سيارة مخالفة لنظام تحميل الركاب تقوم بأكثر من 100 جولة في شوارع مكة.

من جانبه قال مدير مرور العاصمة المقدسة العقيد مشعل المغربي أن إدارته تعمل على مواجهة النقل غير النظامي خاصة أن مكة تحتضن الآن أكثر من 300 ألف معتمر، مشيراً إلى أن تشغيل القطار سيحقق أبعاداً حضارية وأمنية في النقل ويوفر البديل الآمن لنقل المعتمرين.

وبين المغربي أن إدارته تتولى إعداد التصور المروري لضمان نجاح فكرة تشغيل القطار في رمضان المقبل من حيث اختيار اتجاهات ومسارات نقل السياح بين المحطات، فيما تم اختيار المحطة رقم 3 لاستقبال الراغبين في الجولات السياحية عبر القطار.

من جانبه، اعتبر رئيس الغرفة التجارية في مكة المكرمة طلال مرزا أن تشغيل قطار المشاعر في موسم رمضان سيحقق عائدات اقتصادية كبيرة ويضيء الوجه الحضاري المشرق لمكة المكرمة أمام قاصدي بيت الله الحرام، مشيراً إلى أن هذه الخطوة ستوفر فرصا استثمارية جيدة أمام القطاع التجاري في أم القرى كما توفر فرصة الترفيه والسياحة للعائلات السعودية في إجازة الصيف وشهر رمضان.

[Roukaya19]

Thanks Naif

Google translation:

Ticket prices range between 10 and 15 riyals per round

7 points of studying Mashaer train in the running
tours beginning of the next Ramadan

Plan to run a train of emotions in the next Ramadan

Mecca - Hani Alalehyana

7 is moving government agencies with the participation of the Emirate of Makkah Region and the Ministry of Transportation and the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities and the Ministry of Hajj and General Directorate of Traffic to exit full perception of the benefit of running a train in the holy places holy month of Ramadan, which represents the peak Umrah season. U.S. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, general supervisor of development projects in the holy sites, Dr. Habib Ben Zine El Abidine for "Riyadh" involved the ministry after 10 days in the meetings of the Committee on Transport in the Emirate of Makkah Region to discuss the mechanism operating in the season, pointing out that there are ideas to take advantage of emotions run the train all year round. And Zine El Abidine tour that includes Arafat and Muzdalifah and Mina and then return to the receiving station and ticket prices range between 10 and 15 riyals per round.

He added that the ministry is implementing the project of building escalators and elevators, and new crossings for the passage of passengers to strengthen the structure of the train in sentiment and easier access to train stations at the height of the hustle and Altbak bypass traffic in the days of Hajj in the holy sites.

For his part, Director General of Traffic, Major General Suleiman Ajlan that the passage of the Holy City is working to strengthen these trends to the high rate of vehicle use is expressly authorized to transport pilgrims, pointing out that the decision of the Cabinet helped the traffic in the prevention of 57 thousand vehicles from entering Mecca last year, in addition to the presence of 18 thousand buses operating in the irregular transportation in Makkah and benefited from other regions. He added that the study confirmed that each car contrary to the system load of passengers are more than 100 tour on the streets of Mecca.

The director of the passage of the Holy City, Colonel Moroccan Meshaal said that his administration is working to meet the informal transport, especially as Mecca now embraces more than 300 thousand pilgrims, pointing out that the train will run cultural dimensions and security in transport and provides a safe alternative to transport pilgrims.

Between the Moroccan and that his administration will prepare the traffic scenario to ensure the success of the idea of ​​running the train in the next Ramadan in terms of selection of tracks trends and transport tourists between stations, while the station was selected No. 3 receiver who wish to tour by train.

For his part, Prime Chamber of Commerce in Mecca Talal Mirza that the operation of a train of emotions in the season of Ramadan will bring economic returns large and illuminate the face of civilization east of Mecca to the visitors of the House of God, pointing out that this step will provide good investment opportunities to the commercial sector in Umm Al-Qura It also provides recreation and tourism opportunity for families leave Saudi Arabia in the summer and the month of Ramadan.

http://www.alriyadh.com/2012/02/16/article710337.html

[Roukaya19]

Haj 1433/2012

Mashaer Metro for all Pakistani Pilgrims

22 February 2012

EDDAH: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah signed Hajj Agreement 2012 with Minister for Hajj Saudi Arabia Dr. Bandar bin Mohammad al-Hajjar.

Some important features of Hajj Agreement this year include:

All Pakistani Pilgrims would use Electric Rail services during Hajj 1433 instead of buses for transport during the actual Hajj days (from Mina - Arafat -Mina).


source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=1456

[Makkawi.Pk]

Good news, but I'm DEFINITELY not working next Hajj
Edit: Really sorry for not sharing my hajj metro pics, too lazy and a bit confused whether to share all the problems we faced, the metro could find criticism through it, HELP!

[Roukaya19]

Originally Posted by Makkawi.Pk

Good news, but I'm DEFINITELY not working next Hajj
Edit: Really sorry for not sharing my hajj metro pics, too lazy and a bit confused whether to share all the problems we faced, the metro could find criticism through it, HELP!

If you have 100 pics, choice 10 good one without trash and problems : )

[Mesch]

Hehe, yes! No trash pics please.

Yeah, just pick a dozen and post them.

[Roukaya19]

Soaring economic activity to spur Saudi cement demand


High-profile infrastructure projects are boosting cement demand.

By ARAB NEWS

Published: Mar 20, 2012 00:36 Updated: Mar 20, 2012 01:15

JUBAIL: Heavy government spending and increased economic activity will see a strong demand for cement in 2012, according to a new report from NCB Capital.

The cement prices for all companies under the report’s coverage have increased by an average of 14.1 percent due to strong demand. Demand is set to grow by 10 percent in 2012 and 8 percent in 2013, driven by increasing government spending on infrastructure projects combined with private projects.

The report expects 15.5 percent net income growth for stocks under coverage in 2012 and CAGR of 6.3 percent to 2015.

more: http://arabnews.com/economy/article589433.ece

[Naif Saudi]

تشغيل قطار المشاعر في رمضان ودراسة لربطه بمطار الملك عبدالعزيز



عبدالله الدهاس - مكة المكرمة تصوير- عبدالغني بشير

الإثنين 16/04/2012

تدرس وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية إمكانية ربط قطار المشاعر المقدسة بمطار الملك عبدالعزيز في محافظة جدة مشيرة أنه سيتم تشغيل القطار خلال موسم شهر رمضان المبارك من العام الحالي في نقل المعتمرين القادمين من خارج مكة الى محطة جسر الجمرات بالقرب من حي الششه ومن ثم يتم نقلهم عبر الباصات الى الحرم المكي الشريف.وقال الدكتور حبيب زين العابدين وكيل وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية والمشرف العام على المشروعات التطويرية بالمشاعر المقدسة :إن الوزارة تدرس إنشاء خط لربط قطار المشاعر بمطار الملك عبدالعزيز ليسهم في نقل الحجاج والمعتمرين القادمين من خارج المملكة الى مكة المكرمة مباشرة دون أن يكون هناك تداخل مع قطار الحرمين الذي تنفذه وزارة النقل حاليا. وأضاف: إن تشغيل القطار خلال موسم العمرة لن يكون مجديا نظرا لقلة الاعداد مشيرا الى أن هناك اجتماعات مستمرة مع الهيئة العامة للسياحة والآثار للاستفادة من المشروع في رحلات سياحية للمشاعر المقدسة. وأبان: إن الوزارة بدأت في تنفيذ مشروع إنشاء جسر لنقل الحجاج مباشرة الى الدور الثالث من جسر الجمرات يربط منطقة الشعيبين بالمعيصم مشيرا الى أن هذا الجسر يسهم في تخفيف أعداد الحجاج في الدورين الأول والثاني خلال أيام التشريق. ولفت الى البدء في إنشاء الجسر الرابط بين حي العزيزية وجسر الجمرات ليكون مستقلا لتحرك المشاة بعد أن كان الحجاج يسلكون طريق أنفاق الملك خالد المخصصة أصلا للسيارات مشيرا الى أن هذا الطريق سوف يسهم في انسيابية حركة المشاة وعدم تعرضهم للسيارات. وأوضح ان الدراسة الخاصة بانشاء خط شمالي جديد لقطار المشاعر انتهت وسوف ينفذ الخط في حالة توفر الاعتمادات المالية.

[Roukaya19]

Thanks nice news!

google translation:

Operation of Mashaer train in the study of Ramadan and to link it at King Abdulaziz

Monday 16/04/2012

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs the possibility of linking train holy sites at King Abdul Aziz in Jeddah, noting that he will run the train during the season of Ramadan this year to transport pilgrims coming from outside Mecca to stop the bridge near the neighborhood Alchh and then be transported via bus to the Haram al-Sharif. said Dr. Habib Zein El Abidine, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and General Supervisor of development projects in the holy places: the ministry was considering the establishment of a line to connect the train emotions at King Abdulaziz to contribute to the transport of pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom to Mecca directly without the there is an overlap with the Holy train, which is implemented by the Ministry of Transport is currently. He added that the operation of the train during the Umrah season will not be feasible due to lack of numbers, noting that there are continuing meetings with the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities to benefit from the project in tours to the holy sites. And has shown: that the ministry began in the implementation of the project to establish a bridge to transport pilgrims directly to the third round of the bridge linking the area Alsaiben Palmaasam noting that this bridge will contribute to alleviating the number of pilgrims in the first and second rounds during the days of al. He pointed to the start to create a bridge link between the district of Al Azizia and the bridge to be independent of the movement of pedestrians after the pilgrims walk through the tunnels, King Khalid originally intended for cars, noting that this road will contribute to the smooth flow of pedestrian traffic and that they are not cars. He explained that the study on the establishment of a new line north of the train and the feelings will be implemented over the line in case of availability of funds.

http://www.al-madina.com/node/371214

[zakahmed]

Proposed plan for Makkah Metro

[thewolf434]

http://www.railway-technology.com/pr...aaer-al-mugad/

[Naif Saudi]

زين العابدين: قطار المشاعر ينقل 270 ألف معتمر وحاج للحرم كل 3 ساعات
عبدالله الدهاس - مكة المكرمة
السبت 23/06/2012
قال وكيل وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية والمشرف العام على المشروعات المركزية التطويرية بالمشاعر المقدسة الدكتور حبيب زين العابدين: إن قطار المشاعر في حال إيصاله إلى الحرم المكي الشريف سيسهم في نقل أكثر من (270) ألف معتمر وحاج كل 3 ساعات. وأضاف: إن الطاقة الاستيعابية لقطار المشاعر ارتفعت إلى قرابة (90) ألف حاج في الساعة خلاف العدد المحدد سابقا وهو (72) ألف حاج، مشيرًا إلى أن الوزارة انتهت من الدراسة الخاصة بإيصال قطار المشاعر إلى الحرم المكي ومن ثم ربطه مع قطار الحرمين الذي يجري تنفيذه حاليًا. ولفت إلى أن الدراسة تضمنت مقترحين: الأول إيصال المشروع إلى مطار الملك عبدالعزيز بجدة، والثاني: إنشاء محطة رئيسة بالقرب من مشروع الأمير فواز لنقل المعتمرين والحجاج وأهالي جدة إلى الحرم المكي أو المشاعر المقدسة بعد إيقاف سياراتهم في المواقف. كما تضمنت خط سير القطار تحت نفق السوق الصغير مع وجود محطة رئيسة في مشاعر أم القرى ومحطة ثانية عند نقطة التفتيش في منطقة الشميسي بطريق مكة - جدة السريع، مشيرًا إلى أنه لن يكون هناك أي تعارض فيما يتعلق بعمل القطار أو حافلات نقل الحجاج.

[Roukaya19]

Thanks for the news....Google translation:

Train Mashair transferred 270 thousand pilgrims and pilgrims of the campus every 3 hours

Saturday, 23/06/2012

U.S. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and General Supervisor of the central development projects in the holy places, Dr. Habib Zein El Abidine: The train of emotions in the case of delivery to the Haram al-Sharif will contribute to the transfer of more than (270) thousand minor pilgrims and pilgrims every 3 hours. He added that the capacity to train sentiment rose to approximately (90) thousand pilgrims in time other than the number specified previously, a (72) thousand pilgrims, adding that his ministry has completed the study on the delivery of train sentiments to the Grand Mosque in Mecca and then link it with a train-Haramain, which is being implemented.

He pointed out that the study included two proposals: the first delivery of the project to the King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, the second: Create a station near the head of Prince Fawaz project to transport pilgrims to Jeddah and the people of Grand Mosque in Mecca or holy sites after stopping their cars in attitudes. It also included the line of the train tunnel under the small market with a head of station in the feelings or villages, and a second station at the checkpoint in the area Shumaisi the road to Makkah - Jeddah highway, pointing out that there would be no conflict with the work of the train or bus transport pilgrims.

http://www.al-madina.com/node/385803