Major Infrastructure Upgrades Unveiled Ahead of Hajj 1446
Makkah, Saudi Arabia — Kidana Development Company, the executive entity of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, has finalized over 22 Hajj 1446 projects. These upgrades aim to modernize infrastructure, improve safety, and streamline crowd movement throughout the holy sites.
The initiatives support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by raising service standards and operational capacity during the annual pilgrimage. Together, these development projects represent a significant investment in the Hajj pilgrims’ experience.
Hajj 1446 Projects Boost Mobility and Comfort
A cornerstone of the Hajj 1446 projects is the “Mashaar Pathway” in Muzdalifah. This 170,000 square meter corridor includes 103,000 square meters of rubber flooring designed to reduce heat exposure and physical fatigue. It also features 15,000 square meters of greenery, vehicle lanes, and 780 drinking stations, enhancing both comfort and safety.
Kidana also constructed rest areas between sites. These include shaded seating zones, commercial kiosks, and mist fans to help mitigate heat stress during long walks between rituals.
Safety and Sanitation Upgrades for Hajj Pilgrims
Among the infrastructure enhancements, Kidana replaced 2,116 outdated toilets with 5,628 multi-floor restroom units in Mina. It also installed 32 electric escalators to replace concrete stairways, easing movement, especially for elderly and vulnerable pilgrims.
Directional signage was also redesigned under the “Toward Mina” initiative. Color-coded guidance now aligns with camp zones and Jamarat floors, reducing the risk of pilgrims becoming disoriented.
Hajj Infrastructure Includes Medical and Housing Support
One of the newly delivered Hajj 1446 projects is a 5,300-square-meter emergency hospital in Mina. Built in 30 days, it provides over 180 beds. In addition, Kidana activated 71 temporary emergency response points and 14 strategically located medical service centers.
Housing capacity was increased through two-story tent systems across 20,000 square meters. More than 27,000 square meters were also prepared within the legal boundaries of Arafat to facilitate orderly crowd distribution.
Retail and Logistics Projects Enhance Pilgrim Services
To support essential needs, Kidana developed over 100 retail units and signed agreements with national brands for food, pharmacy, banking, and beverage services. The company also launched 72 distribution hubs to manage charity services during the Hajj season.
These Hajj 1446 projects collectively reflect a national commitment to improving the pilgrim journey—from arrival to ritual performance—by integrating infrastructure, safety, and service delivery.
The Saudi Standard’s View: Hajj Infrastructure as a Strategic Asset
Kidana’s rollout of over 22 Hajj 1446 projects illustrates a growing emphasis on durable, scalable solutions within the Kingdom’s religious tourism sector. These developments are no longer seasonal responses but part of a broader shift toward systemic, year-round readiness.
From shaded pathways to digitized guidance systems and emergency infrastructure, the approach signals a maturity in how Saudi Arabia manages Hajj at scale. The operational model aligns closely with Vision 2030’s ambition to elevate service quality while embedding sustainability and crowd science into the core design of sacred sites.
These Hajj infrastructure projects not only enhance immediate pilgrim safety and comfort—they lay the groundwork for a future in which the pilgrimage economy operates with precision, foresight, and resilience.
