Efforts stepped up to meet deadline
on implementing mataf expansion
Friday 21 December 2012Efforts are being stepped up in order to meet the deadline on implementing expansion works on the mataf (area for circumambulation) following the launching of the first phase four weeks ago in time for the Haj season of 1434 AH.
The head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al Sudais said that works of removal will include the eastern part in the first phase of expansion. This part aligns the “massa” (the two lanes between the Safa & Marwa rocks), while the northern part will lie opposite Al Fateh door. Works will include the removal of the eastern part (made of cement) that completes the historical hall that was built in 1426.
Sheikh Al Sudais extended his thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for this historical project during an inspection visit to the location.
“The leadership of this country is keen on the preservation of the historical assets that resulted from the expansion works. For this purpose, the decision came in 1420 to set up a museum “The Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture” adjoining the Kiswa factory. The general directorate received orders to carry out studies to expand the exhibition to accommodate the artifacts and inscriptions that have been identified and documented by means of scientific documentation. We are working now to link this with GIS”, said Sheik Al Sudais, adding that other pieces such as columns and crowns, were added as well.
Key features of the project will be made clear after completing the second and the third phases which will be executed in 1435 and 1436 respectively.
This will be done by maintaining the Abbasid hall in the northern, southern and western parts after evacuating the eastern part of the Abbasid hall to the west for the expansion of the ‘tawafa’ area in the higher floors.
He said that the expansion project will increase the capacity for mataf (circumambulation) which, in turn, will lead to a drastic improvement in the services provided to pilgrims not only in numbers accommodated but also in the quality of services for senior visitors and persons with special needs as well.
It is worth mentioning that the first phase of the project began in the eastern side, which represents the bottleneck of the project.
This phase will include the north-eastern half of the Grand Mosque and ends at the southern side opposite to the Safa door and electric escalator.
It will be implemented in three stages with a timeline of three years, which will result in an increase in its capacity to 3 times its current capacity (150 thousand pilgrims) an hour. It will be equipped with the most advanced systems and technology with no obstacles.
http://www.arabnews.com/efforts-step...ataf-expansion
