The Traffic Department in Makkah has started implementing from Wednesday its Ramadan traffic plan to deal with millions of visitors to the Holy City. Colonel Mesh'al Al-Magrabi, Department Director, said traffic operations will concentrate on city entrances and the central part of Makkah. There have also been new parking lots set up this year for Umrah performers traveling on the highways to Makkah. There are five parking lots, including on the Makkah-Jeddah highway, Makkah-Al-Leeth Road, Makkah-Al-Hada Road, Makkah-Madina Highway, and Makkah-Assail Road. In addition, there are parking lots inside the city in Al-Zaher, Al-Qashla, Al-Rusaifa, Kudai, Al-Ghazza and Mahbas Al-Jinn. He said buses of hotels located outside the Central Zone will be banned from entering the area because there are parking stations allocated for them, where passengers can get off and use public buses to take them to the Grand Mosque. The shuttle-bus transportation system will operate round-the-clock. Cars will also be prevented from entering the Central Zone around the Grand Mosque. Half an hour before and after prayers, he said, parking, including waiting or pulling over for passengers to get out, is completely banned. This is to enable pedestrians to reach the Mosque easily. Al-Magrabi said more than 3,800 officers and privates will be stationed in the city's districts, in the Central Zone and at entrances. He said microbuses and private cars are banned from transporting visitors and pilgrims and would be impounded. Expatriate drivers found violating the law will be deported while Saudi offenders will have their cars impounded and will face charges. Large buses with no permit will also be impounded, he said, adding that there will be no leniency in implementing these regulations in the public interest. — Okaz/SG He called on residents, visitors and Umrah pilgrims to respect the city's traffic laws, which have been drawn up for their safety and convenience. — Okaz/SGFACT BOX n 5 parking lots set up for Umrah performers traveling on the highways to Makkahn More than 3,800 officers and privates stationed in the city's districts, Central Zone and at entrancesn Large buses with no permits will be impoundedn Expat drivers violating the law will be deportedn Saudi offenders will have their cars impounded and will face charges __
