Abedeen, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, said the management and operation of the “holy sites' train” being carried out by a Chinese company will be transferred to the Saudi Railways Organization in three years time. He said the train would be operational in next year's Haj season and that a group of Saudis is being trained to take over its management. The SR6.6 million project will be completed in two years from the date of its awarding thus it is expected that 35 percent of its total capacity will be available in the 2010 Haj season and that it will be fully operational in the year 2013. Al-Abedeen said the project is being carried out according to a fixed timetable pointing out that the manufacturing of locomotives and carriages will take some time and has been designed according to the latest international specifications. He also said the construction work on the Jissr Al-Jamrat will be completed in the next Haj season, although the four-story building is ready to receive pilgrims in this year's Haj. He said 50 percent of the project of the leveling of Arafat has been finished, pointing out that the project will increase the availability of accommodation in Arafat. – Okaz/SG The official denied any current plan by the ministry to erect fireproof tents in Arafat.
