MONORAIL AT HAJ SITES NEXT YEAR

From Ahmad Kamil Tahir

MECCA, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The problem of traffic congestion between the holy
sites of Mecca, Mina, Arafat and Mudzalifah during the haj season will be solved
next year when a monorail system begins operation, the Saudi Arabian English
daily Arab News reported.

The report quoted Habeeb Zain Al-Abidine, Deputy Minister of Municipal and
Rural Affairs, as saying that the monorail would transport 500,000 pilgrims
between the holy sites within six to eight hours.

"This will help withdraw at least 30,000 small and large buses from the haj
service," he said.

He said the monorail project, estimated to cost SR6.75 billion, would bring
about a major shift in pilgrim transportation, which had been a major headache
of haj managers.

"This project will reduce overcrowding in the holy sites, reduce pressure on
roads and help pilgrims reach their destinations early," he said, adding that
that the project would be partially operational next year and fully operational
a year later.

The project, if successful, would be used for for the transportation of
pilgrims outside the holy sites, he added.

On another development the newspaper reported that 11 checkpoints equipped
with state of the art technology had been set up near all entrances to Mecca to
root out pilgrims attempting to enter the holy city illegally.

"We have stationed qualified staff at all air, land and sea entry points to
welcome pilgrims and facilitate their entry to Makkah and Madinah,"

It quoted commander of the Haj security forces for passports Col. Ayied bin
Taghaleeb Al-Harbi as saying that severe punishment awaited those who tried to
smuggle in domestic pilgrims who are not carrying Haj permits.

"Smugglers may face a fine of SR10,000, imprisonment of six months or the
two punishments together," he said, adding that the punishments might also
include confiscation of the vehicle, public defamation and deportation.
(US$1=SR3.75)
-- BERNAMA