Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The traffic department in Makkah has deployed over 3,000 policemen equipped with 400 vehicles and 300 motorbikes to implement the traffic plan during the Haj Col. Salman Al-Jumaie, director general of Makkah traffic department, told a workshop in Makkah on Sunday that cars will not be allowed to enter the central area around the Grand Mosque, including those of the traffic policemen themselves, at prayer times. "There will be no exceptions to this rule," he said. He added that traffic police will be using motorbikes during these times. He said ban on cars entering the central area at prayer times has been extended from 30 minutes to one hour. "The 60-minute ban will continue until Dhul Hijja 15 when it will go back to half an hour until the end of the Haj season," he said. The workshop was held at the Tawafa establishment for the pilgrims from Turkey, Europe, the United States and Australia. Head of the establishment Tariq Anqawi, chiefs of field service teams and other senior officials attended the workshop. Al-Jumaie said all entry points into Makkah have been equipped with special devices to prevent entry of vehicles transporting illegal pilgrims. On Dhul Hijja 12 and 13, the official said, all roads leading to and going out of the central area will be directed toward the highways to prevent traffic accidents or bottlenecks. He warned unlicensed drivers of motorbikes transporting pilgrims that they will be severely punished and their motorcycles confiscated. "We have so far caught about 120 people and seized their motorbikes," he said. Al-Jumaie also asked drivers not to park their vehicles in wrong places to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic. He promised Tawafa establishments that granting of licenses to individual pilgrims' cars will be considered.
