(MENAFN- Arab News) MINA: Security arrangements for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque and holy sites during Ramadan are in place according to Makkah's police department.
'The police will be taking precautionary measures to guarantee the security ease and comfort of worshipers and pilgrims' said Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Sauli commander of the police force for Umrah pilgrims.
The security agencies are trained and equipped to deal with huge numbers of pilgrims of diverse nationalities and all kinds of emergencies said Al-Sauli during a press conference at the Public Security department's headquarters in Mina on Sunday.
Outlining the traffic plan Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Muqbil supervisor for Ramadan at the traffic department said: 'Seven centers outside the Second Ring Road have been opened to transport pilgrims from the Central Zone to the exits.'
'No cars driven by pilgrims will be allowed to enter Makkah to avoid congestion. The cars will be stopped at seven points for screening to determine whether they can enter the holy city' he said.
Al-Muqbil added that the traffic plan targets the Central Zone and the area outside it. More than 22 million worshipers and pilgrims used public transport last year he said.
He said the traffic department has conducted several studies on ways to reduce road accidents. The measures introduced include extra patrols and close monitoring of all roads leading to Makkah and Madinah. This is done in collaboration with the Red Crescent to ensure victims can be airlifted to hospitals.
Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Khleiwi supervisor of the Command and Control Center said the facility's most important task is to monitor security and traffic inside and outside the Grand Mosque with cameras and contact with patrols.
Brig. Saeed Al-Qarni commander of the police's task force said the number of security officers in uniform and plain clothes have been doubled particularly around the Grand Mosque.
'The security plan this year is to have officers everywhere in Makkah. There have been special stations set up for the season to handle complaints from pilgrims and visitors and deal with annoying activities such as begging and hawking' Al-Qarni said.
There would also be police teams deployed to manage crowds at the five bus stations at Bab Ali Ajyad Bab Garwal Al-Ghazza and Shiab Amer and all parking areas.