Saudi boosts preparation to serve pilgrims during final 10 days of Ramadan

As the last ten days of Ramadan ensue, the municipalities of Makkah and Madinah deployed more than 18,000 personnel and nearly 6,000 operational vehicles as well as pieces of equipment under intensive operational plans.

Through these plans, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the Municipalities and Housing Ministry has raised municipal readinesses in providing services for Umrah performers and visitors, enabling them to perform their rituals in a safe and organised environment.

The operational plans include improving the efficiency of facility cleaning and environmental sanitation, strengthening infrastructure and municipal services, as well as intensifying field inspections of commercial and food establishments.

The ministry said the efforts are to ensure service quality throughout the period, as it is expected to welcome high numbers of arrivals to Makkah and Madinah.

At the same time, the Holy Makkah Municipality deployed more than 13,000 personnel working around the clock to support cleaning and operational activities in the central area and sites surrounding the Grand Mosque.

According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the number of Umrah pilgrims reached 20.66 million in the first half of 2025.

The ministry added, the effort includes an integrated system of specialised vehicles and equipment that help maintain cleanliness in high-density locations, aside from facilitating the movement of visitors and Umrah performers.

To reduce congestion in the central area, the municipality has also prepared five parking sites that can place more than 42,000 vehicles as part of an integrated traffic management system to ease access to the Grand Mosque.

In Madinah, the municipality raised its operational readiness based on a comprehensive plan which includes improving facility cleanliness and environmental sanitation, monitoring infrastructure safety as well as intensifying inspection tours of commercial and food premises.

The effort is to ensure compliance with health requirements and product safety, as well as combat commercial fraud and regulate street vendors.

Moreover, the municipality supported its field operations with more than 5,000 personnel and over 1,230 operational vehicles and pieces of equipment, in addition to activating several electronic platforms that enhance report monitoring and speed up responses to municipal services.

The ministry said these efforts come within an integrated government framework to serve Umrah performers and visitors, and ensure the highest levels of operational readiness in the holy cities during the last ten days of Ramadan.

-- BERNAMA