RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Transport Ministry carried out a number of road projects during January in different parts of the Kingdom to ensure the safety of road users and improve the flow of traffic.
The development work was carried out based on scientific studies and surveys done by the ministry. According to the statistics issued by the ministry, work on a total of 189km patch was carried out in different parts of the country. Work on five intersections was carried, which were identified for improvement to ensure safety of motorists.
The ministry also undertook cleaning operations of low-lying areas and valleys following rains to make those areas commutable.
The ministry also evaluated 17 bridges and carried out necessary maintenance.
The Transport Ministry ensured highest safety standards while carrying out the projects to make the Kingdom’s roads secure and reduce traffic accidents.
The ministry also completed survey of 4,652km of dirt roads and carried out necessary maintenance wherever required.
The Transport Ministry has pledged to take all steps to raise the level of safety on the Kingdom’s roads and reduce the number of deaths due to traffic accidents.
Saudi transport ministry carries out road safety projects
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Saudi transport ministry carries out road safety projects
- Projects implemented to ensure the safety of road users and improve the flow of traffic
Carved by time: Saudi Arabia’s hidden geotourism gem of Razan
- Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment
- This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road
AL-LITH: Sixty kilometers north of Al-Lith governorate in the Kingdom's west, rising above the shifting sands and valleys of the Makkah region, lies a place where the earth itself tells a story. This is Razan, a geological wonder where history is not written in ink, but etched into the stone by the patient hands of wind, water, and time.
Perched atop a high rocky mass and flanked by valleys to the northwest and southeast, Razan stands in natural isolation. This geographic solitude has acted as a guardian, preserving a landscape that feels almost otherworldly — a pristine stage set by nature over millennia.
The place is defined by its striking rock formations: dense clusters of stone, stepped ridges that resemble ancient staircases, and natural ceilings sculpted by the relentless flow of seasonal torrents.
The visual impact is one of dramatic contrast — the heaviness of solid rock balanced against open, airy spaces carved by erosion. Fine channels and intricate flow patterns mark the stone, serving as fossilized evidence of the water that once rushed through these corridors, shaping the land into a rugged work of art.
Nature’s infrastructure
But Razan is more than just a scenic marvel; for centuries, it served as a lifeline. The same forces that sculpted the cliffs also hollowed out natural rock basins. These geological depressions acted as seasonal reservoirs, catching rainwater and supplementing nearby wells. Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment.
This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road. The sturdy, elevated terrain provided a natural pathway for pilgrims, offering stability and protection on their spiritual journey toward Makkah.
Today, Razan stands at the intersection of heritage and opportunity. No longer just a passage for pilgrims, it is emerging as a valuable asset for geotourism. Its unique topography offers a visual feast for travelers and a treasure trove for scientists studying geological history.
As Saudi Arabia moves toward the goals of Vision 2030, sites like Razan are finding new purpose. By transforming this geological narrative into a tourism destination, the region aims to preserve its natural heritage while breathing new life into the local economy.
