Hajj transportation system: 100 operational plans and drones
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its exceptional efforts to serve the pilgrims. Abdulaziz bin Ayed Al-Otaibi, the official spokesperson for the Hajj transport and logistics system, announced the mobilization of all operational and technical resources for the Hajj season. The system operates seamlessly across 11 integrated entities, under the direct supervision of the Minister of Transport and Logistics, to ensure a smooth and safe experience for pilgrims. This is further supported by the National Center for Transport Safety, which enhances standards across all modes of transport.
Historical development and global impact of services for pilgrims
Throughout history, the Hajj pilgrimage has posed a significant challenge for Muslims worldwide due to the arduous journey and vast distances involved. With the ongoing development spearheaded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the transportation sector has undergone radical transformations, from the paving of ancient roads to state-of-the-art high-speed rail networks and advanced aviation in the modern era. This historic progress has not only been reflected locally but has also had a regional and international impact, with crowd management and transportation during Hajj becoming a global model studied and studied. The success of the Hajj transportation system reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leader of the Islamic world and highlights its exceptional ability to manage the world's largest human gathering efficiently and effectively, positively impacting the local economy and strengthening international cooperation in the fields of transportation and logistics.
100 operational plans within the Hajj transportation system
Al-Otaibi explained that Hajj is one of the world's largest logistical operations, requiring exceptional planning. More than 100 integrated operational plans were developed, achieving a 100% compliance rate according to the evaluation of the Guests of God Service Program. To ensure optimal implementation, more than 46,000 specialized personnel were allocated. In the air transport sector, more than 3 million seats were made available through 12,000 scheduled and charter flights, connecting the Kingdom to more than 300 global destinations via 100 airlines and six airports dedicated to receiving pilgrims.
Drones and advanced technologies for the first time
In a pioneering step reflecting technological advancements, the first operational permit for drones to deliver medicines and medical supplies within the holy sites was issued in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. Innovations were also expanded with the increase in road cooling sites to cover an area exceeding 14,000 square meters in three new locations, and the launch of a pilot program for self-driving buses in the courtyards of Quba Mosque in Medina.
Advanced land transport network and strict oversight
In terms of land transportation, 33,000 buses meeting the highest safety standards were equipped, along with more than 5,000 taxis and 140 intercity buses operating on 32 routes. Eleven designated points facilitated the transfer of pilgrims from the holy sites to the Grand Mosque in just 15 minutes. To ensure quality, the Public Transport Authority conducted over 390,000 field inspections at 50 key locations, resulting in the detection of 87,000 violations. To further enhance traffic flow, more than 3,500 kilometers of roads leading to the holy sites were maintained.
Haramain High-Speed Railway, Al-Mashaaer Railway, and Logistics Services
The Haramain High-Speed Railway's capacity was increased by 11% to transport over 2.2 million pilgrims, with trains departing every half hour during peak times. The Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro is expected to transport over two million pilgrims, with the Mina-Arafat train departing at 6:00 PM to enhance safety. Logistically, 1.2 million tons of goods and 2.6 million head of livestock were transported, and half a million pilgrims were facilitated through the Subul Foundation. The system also supported the Makkah Route Initiative, delivering 470,000 bags, and the "Hajj Without a Bag" service became essential for transporting the luggage of pilgrims arriving from abroad directly to their accommodations.
