The Makkah Mashaer Metro (MMM), developed by the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), recently disclosed to Arab News that 70 percent of its locally recruited staff are Saudi.
According to CRCC’s Operational Department data, the number of local staff at MMM in 2010 was approximately 1,000, and increased by 100 percent to 2,000 in 2011. There was also a cent percent increase in 2012, with the number rising to 4,000.
As per the requirements of the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA), the number of Saudi employees continued to rise to 5,500 in 2013 and reached 6,000 in 2014.
Despite this, it has been revealed that fewer than 50 Saudi employees have taken high-level positions such as third party interface managers, deputy station manager, station master, assistant station master, station control room agent and other supervisory roles.
The SR6,600 billion project has now been operational for five years. During this period, it has transported a total of 26 million pilgrims from Arafat to Mina, a journey that only takes 13 minutes, while the route from Arafat to Muzdalifah is completed in just seven minutes.
This government service is available only for pilgrims and, due to this intent, the passenger ticket cost covers only one-third of the total operational expenses, according to Deputy Stations Manager Taher Baghdadi.
Baghdadi noted that since the opening of the MMM in November 2010, not a single accident has occurred anywhere on the metro route. Further, the travel time from Arafat to Muzdalifah has been reduced from its previous six to eight hours, to less than 20 minutes — a historic achievement in the history of transportation.
Regarding the role of Saudi employees in the MMM’s operation, Baghdadi said “There are 50 Saudis in senior positions who are supervising nine stations. We employ 6,000 people during Haj, some of whom work on contract only during Haj, after having been trained extensively."
About passenger ticketing and train access, he noted that the Ministry of Haj coordinates with Haj operating firms and sells around 400,000 train tickets to these agencies for pilgrims. According to Baghdadi, “the train staff won't stop pilgrims who insist on boarding the train as we treat them as guests of this country.” He added that only during the peak hours does the MMM insist that the pilgrims purchase tickets.
Last week, CRCC invited Arab News to discuss these matters with them exclusively. Arab News is the only Saudi media body to have gained first hand information about the MMM’s operation.
Authorities also allowed Arab News access to the restricted operational control areas in CRCC headquarters in Makkah. An additional visitation was also conducted in which Arab News representatives visited stations, monitoring and control centers, and met with top executives at the CRCC, including Saudi officials.
70% of Makkah Mashaer Metro staff are Saudi
70% of Makkah Mashaer Metro staff are Saudi
Saudi scouts volunteer 11,800 hours in first 10 days of Ramadan
- Camp leader says it plays a vital role in promoting volunteerism and a positive image of the Saudi youth
MAKKAH: Makkah’s young scouts at the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association volunteered 11,800 hours during the first 10 days of Ramadan.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Makkah Department, the association’s pilgrim service camp deployed 295 scouts to assist Umrah performers in Makkah during Ramadan.
Ziyad Qadeer, the camp leader, said the camp plays a vital role in promoting volunteerism, patriotism, and a positive image of the Saudi youth, confirming that their services will continue throughout Ramadan.
The camp also collaborated with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, the Makkah Health Cluster, and the General Directorate of Public Security.
Facilities Security Forces chief inspects Haramain train stations to ensure Umrah pilgrims' safety
- Haramain High Speed Railway connects Makkah to Madinah
- Staff outline security measures to create a safe environment for pilgrims
MAKKAH: The commander of Saudi Arabia’s Facilities Security Forces, Maj. Gen. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Moghaisseb, inspected transportation sites in Makkah as part of efforts to ensure the safety and security of visitors and Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan.
Al-Moghaisseb visited the command and control centers, halls, and yards of the Haramain High Speed Railway, which connects the holy city of Makkah to Madinah.
Staff briefed the FSF commander on security measures implemented at the Haramain train stations to create a safe environment for visitors and Umrah pilgrims.
The commander conveyed the greetings of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif to FSF staff for the month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi hospital performs robotic spinal, pelvic surgery
- KFHU performed complex robotic surgery to stabilize spinal and pelvic fractures in a patient injured in a motor vehicle accident
- Achievement underscores the hospital’s commitment to advanced medical technologies and AI integration, enhancing safety, accuracy and innovation
RIYADH: King Fahd University Hospital has successfully performed a complex robotic surgery to stabilize spinal and pelvic fractures in a patient injured in a motor vehicle accident.
The hospital is part of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University’s Academic Medical City in Alkhobar.
The hospital highlighted that the Saudi medical team used robotic surgery to reduce complications and speed up recovery, thereby improving healthcare quality, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The achievement underscores the hospital’s commitment to advanced medical technologies and AI integration, enhancing safety, accuracy and innovation, the SPA added.
In January, King Fahd University Hospital’s Heart Center achieved significant breakthroughs in treating heart and lung conditions.
The center pioneered balloon pulmonary angioplasty, a groundbreaking treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, marking a first for the Eastern Province.
During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a vein to reach narrowed or blocked pulmonary arteries. A small balloon is then inflated to widen the vessels and restore normal blood flow.
This technique improves blood oxygen levels, reduces pulmonary artery pressure, enhances heart function and significantly elevates quality of life, according to the SPA.
Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia
- Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested five Ethiopians for smuggling 100 kg of qat
RIYADH: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests and seizures across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Border Guard land patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested five Ethiopians for smuggling 100 kg of qat.
In the Al-Dayer governorate of the Jazan region, authorities arrested three Yemenis and Ethiopians for smuggling 90 kg of qat.
In another seizure, land patrols thwarted the smuggling of 59,210 tablets subject to medical circulation regulations in the same governorate.
Authorities in Jazan also arrested a citizen for selling methamphetamine, also known as shabu.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed and all seized items were transferred to the relevant authorities.
Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.
Saudi project restores authenticity to Najran’s historical mosque
- The project aims to correct previous renovations that introduced non-authentic materials, restoring the mosque to its original heritage style
- Built in 1966, the mosque spans 1,436 sq. meters and accommodates 1,000 worshippers
RIYADH: Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam Mosque, located near the historic Emirate Palace in Najran, is undergoing restoration as part of the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historic Mosques.
The project aims to correct previous renovations that introduced non-authentic materials, restoring the mosque to its original heritage style, reflective of the Najran region, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Built in 1966, the mosque spans 1,436 sq. meters and accommodates 1,000 worshippers, the SPA added.
Its construction follows traditional methods, featuring horizontal courses and roofing made from wood extracted from palm trunks, fronds, and tamarisk trees.
The restoration will use the same natural materials as the original construction, preserving the distinctive architectural character of Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam Mosque — the first mosque in Najran’s old popular market area.
It is one of 30 mosques across 13 regions included in the project’s second phase, which covers six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, two each in the Eastern Province, Jouf, and Jazan, and one each in the Northern Borders, Tabuk, Baha, Najran, Hail, and Qassim.
Phase two follows the successful completion of phase one in 2018, which restored 30 mosques in 10 regions, the SPA reported.
The project balances traditional and modern construction standards, ensuring the sustainability of mosque components while preserving their heritage and historical features.
Saudi companies and engineers specializing in heritage restoration are leading the development efforts, according to the report.
The project’s four strategic objectives include restoring historic mosques for worship, preserving their architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, and enhancing their religious and cultural significance.
It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by preserving architectural heritage and integrating it into modern mosque designs.
