SR4bn Jamrat Expansion Begins

Jeddah, 16 Jan 06

Work on the new multi-level Jamrat Bridge in Mina began Saturday.

The project, which is designed to accommodate more than three million pilgrims at a time, will cost SR4 billion, according to a report published today by Arab News.

Demolition of the present bridge and clearing out the debris began in earnest as soon as this Hajj season ended in order to build two of the four levels of the new bridge by next year's Hajj.

The design of the new bridge aims at reducing congestion in Jamrat at any one time or point and avoiding the occurrence of stampedes.