Advanced railways keep Hajj pilgrims on track

RIYADH, 06 August 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: The Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro Project (MMMP), a shuttle train service that operates during the Hajj season in Makkah, introduced a new means of transport for pilgrims, easing traffic bottlenecks by reducing congestion.

The project includes nine overground stations, each with a 300-meter-long platform that can be accessed via specific routes to the waiting areas under the stations, each of which can accommodate more than 3,000 people.

According to the Makkah Region Development Authority, the shuttle train will transport more than 360,000 pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season. 

The MMMP South Line links the southeast of Arafat and southwest of Mina through Muzdalifah. The trains pass through three stations in Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. The track stretches over roughly 20 km, and the driverless trains run at speeds of 80-120 km per hour (kph).

The metro line, which only operates for the Hajj season in Makkah — and has the highest capacity of any metro in the world — is used as an exclusive shuttle train for pilgrims between Makkah, Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina. 

It helps immensely in reducing traffic bottlenecks caused by thousands of buses and cars during the peak season.

The trains, which can travel up to 300 kph, are equipped with the latest technology to ensure comfort and safety.

The trains can cross between Arafat and Mina in 13 minutes, and between Arafat and Muzdalifah in seven.

Hajj, which is the largest annual gathering of people in the world, attracts pilgrims from across the world. The railway has replaced around 50,000 buses, promising a safer and more comfortable pilgrimage with less congestion.

The Hajj Affairs and Transport Department said it is committed to using the best urban planning and smart technology to ensure that the pilgrimage is safe and comfortable.