MAKKAH – The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has worked out a new mechanism to ensure smooth, hassle-free and timely operation of the Mashair train facility. More than 1,600 personnel will be deployed for grouping pilgrims at all the nine stations in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday quoting ministry sources. The new mechanism will be implemented under the supervision of the Central Department for the Developed Projects at the ministry. Pilgrims with valid tickets will be grouped at the stations, fencing out those without tickets.
Thermal cameras to count the number of pilgrims coming in or going out of the electronic gate of the stations will be used for the first time this Haj. “The new mechanism will be based on grouping the pilgrims in batches so that they don't exceed the capacity of trains and stations. The timing of the train's arrival and departure will also be considered while allowing entry for pilgrims to the stations so as to avoid congestion at the stations,” the sources said. Grouping operations at peak times will be controlled through strict ticket checks. Grouping of pilgrims from their tents to the stations will be on the basis of the timing of the scheduled trips. The mechanism also includes measures to ward off illegal pilgrims from camping along railway tracks. The Muzdalifah No. 1 station's capacity has been expanded to accommodate more pilgrims this year. The ministry expects that the new facilities and arrangements, as well as the decision to cut the number of pilgrims using the train facility will help prevent problems that arose last year. This year, the number of pilgrims who will be allowed to use the Mashair train facility has been reduced from its actual capacity of 500,000 to 377,000 as part of measures to ensure safety of pilgrims. Last Haj, a number of pilgrims sustained minor injuries in a mild stampede at a crowded railway station in Arafat. A committee of experts, who probed the incident, blamed some Tawafa establishments for helping pilgrims without tickets to board trains and causing delays. It also pointed out that the failure to distribute ticket-carrying pilgrims evenly at the three stations in Arafat was a major reason for confusion at stations. The data recorded on cameras at the stations showed that the stampede of pilgrims was outside the fenced railway station.
FOR A SAFE PILGRIMAGE
* Pilgrims' number on Mashair trains reduced from 500,000 to 377,000 * More than 1,600 personnel to help group pilgrims at stations * Thermal cameras to count the number of pilgrims coming in or going out of the electronic gates * Pilgrims to be grouped in batches so that they don't exceed the capacity of trains and stations * Grouping operations at peak times to be controlled through strict ticket checks * Grouping of pilgrims from their tents to stations to be on the basis of the timing of the scheduled trips * Measures to prevent illegal pilgrims from squatting along railway tracks.
