Saudi Arabia tightens security on Mecca, Medina roads

Cairo: As the number of pilgrims heading to Mecca and Medina are spiralling, Saudi security authorities have ramped up efforts to streamline traffic on roads leading to both holy cities.

Mecca and Medina, home to Islam’s two holiest mosques, usually witness huge numbers of visitors from inside and outside Saudi Arabia during the last days of the Islamic sacred month of Ramadan, expected to end on Saturday.
Road security forces have intensified their efforts to regulate entry and exit of traffic, direct vehicles carrying pilgrims to alternative routes when necessary, and give the faithful a smooth access to their destinations in Mecca and Medina.

The closing days of Ramadan are expected to witness a further increase in the numbers of vehicles and passengers heading to both cities.
In undertaking the stint, the Special Road Security Forces have beefed up their field presence by intensifying patrols and checkpoints on the main roads leading to Mecca, known as the “Holy Capital” — home to the Grand Mosque.

Likewise, the forces are working to secure the roads leading to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina through checkpoints to ensure the smooth inflow of pilgrims.

To this end, the forces utilize smart systems to monitor roads via screens connected to cameras installed along highways, enabling swift responses to accidents and traffic violations.

The month of Ramadan usually marks the peak season of the Umrah or lesser pilgrimage in the Grand Mosque.