Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the second phase of transport simulations for Hajj 2023

As part of the preparations for Hajj 2023, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Tuesday began the second phase of transport simulations. The exercise involves more than 3,000 buses and security and regulatory officials and also the support from 10,000 workers.

The second phase is a part of the ministry's preparations for Hajj, according to Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the minister responsible for Umrah and the Hajj. The ministry is examining the productivity of employees as well as the performance of technology systems facilitating pilgrim mobility through the simulation, he continued.

A 15-hour transport exercise will be undertaken as part of the preparations under the ministry's supervision and in collaboration with the Hajj security and regulatory agencies. As part of the event, which will test 37 routes, 107 service offices and 19 field service firms around the holy sites, thousands of buses from 57 transport providers will travel the routes.

The pilgrims' journey from Makkah to Mina, ascent to Arafat, ascent from Mina to Arafat, Tawaf Al-Ifadah phase from Arafat to Muzdalifah, exodus from Muzdalifah to Mina, and then journey to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for Tawaf Al-Wadaa will all be tested in the simulation plan.

Three months have passed since the start of the first simulation phase. Over the course of three and a half hours, 1,300 buses were used to test the ascent to Arafat, the Tawaf Al-Ifadah from Arafat to Muzdalifah, the Tawaf Al-Iafadah from Muzdalifah to Mina, and the Tawaf Al-Ifadah from Mina to Arafat. The ministry uses simulations to increase operational effectiveness and keep Hajj activities in line with global safety standards.