class facilities and servicesMAKKAH – A comprehensive SR100 billion plan is currently being drafted to transform Makkah into a city with world-class facilities and services. The Commission for the Development of Makkah and the Holy Sites affirmed that the “Holy Makkah Comprehensive Plan” will be revealed by the beginning of next year. Four executive, planning and consultative companies are currently working on the plan. “The fact is all projects being executed now are part of the comprehensive plan,” said Osama Al-Bar, Mayor of Makkah. Blueprint Al-Bar said that Makkah's development will be a blueprint for the development of other cities in the Kingdom. “The plan that is being supervised by the Commission for the Development of Makkah and the Holy Sites will be a road map for other large projects. It is a project with a vision of development that guarantees Makkah's pioneering role.” Dr. Sami Barhameen, the commission's secretary general, said the plan is being worked on by qualified local and foreign experts. He hoped the plan will be approved by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. “The aim is to be careful and search for the best possible means of development. The projects that have been carried out in the city were preceded by accurate plans and studies. When we say ‘Makkah comprehensive plan' we mean development towards quality,” he added. “Everything that has happened, and is happening, is based on plans and studies.” He said the plan will be a powerful tool for Makkah's development. Four groups The first of the four groups working on the comprehensive plan includes security, municipal, transport, and government bodies that have a direct link to services introduced in Makkah. “The second group is local expertise, including qualified cadres at Saudi universities, such as engineers and technicians. The third group includes international planning experts who were carefully selected from around the world. The fourth group, he said, comprises consultative companies. “This accuracy in planning will lead to success. The first half of the next Hijri year will be a turning point for Makkah,” he added. Projects Al-Bar said that although the comprehensive plan is still not completed, projects are still being carried out. “One of the important ones is the Fourth Ring Road project that will link the city's main areas with a surrounding road. On that road, two projects are being executed to connect Makkah's southern and western areas to the Jeddah highway. This is to ease the flow of cars moving towards and away from the Holy Sites.” Another project is a study being conducted on the main road intersections, which aims to generate solutions for traffic congestion. Other projects are pedestrian bridges, naming and numbering districts, and plans and designs for districts' playgrounds and parks, in addition to the construction of new municipal buildings, Al-Bar added. “Some of the projects have been awarded to contractors including the Fourth Ring Road intersection, which will cost SR314 million. Ring roads are the spirit of development in Makkah,” he said. He said Makkah will be the first city in the Kingdom to use trains as public transportation inside the city. He said all development projects, including the comprehensive plan, may cost more than SR100 billion. “We met investors last week and offered them the details of several projects. When all projects, including the ones to remove unplanned areas are completed, the city will be completely changed,” Al
