1,800 properties to be expropriated in Makkah Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – A total of 1,800 properties will soon be expropriated to make way for a new First Ring Road project in Makkah. Compensation will be paid to owners after all property values are determined, according to Engineer Abbas Qattan, Assistant Deputy Mayor for Construction and Projects. He said about SR40 billion has been allocated for compensation payments. The highest compensation in the northern courtyard expansion was about SR1.3 billion for a building overlooking the Grand Mosque from the side of the Raqouba Area. The lowest estimations in the Alshubaika Yard expansion were between SR450,000 and SR500,000, he said. A project to set up 100,000 toilets at six locations around the Grand Mosque is now completed, he said, adding that the northern courtyards' expansion project is scheduled to end before next Ramadan. On new projects, he said, “We're about to begin the large project of the First Ring Road and are now coordinating plans with relevant bodies. The road begins at the eastern side of the Ali Tunnels and stretches through Alraqouba, Jabal Hindi then Abdullatif Jameel project in Albab neighborhood and Alhafayer Road behind Jabal Omar project. It will be linked to the old, and closed, Hijla Tunnels that are linked to Alghazza District through the Ali Tunnels.” There will be other projects along the new ring road including three large stations that can handle small cars and buses. These stations are part of the Makkah Train project which has yet to be completed, he said. __
