MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia stands ready to serve the pilgrims who have started to arrive in the country for this year’s Hajj, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites said on Thursday. It follows the development and enhancement of infrastructure in Makkah, Mina and Muzdalifah, including several transport and healthcare projects, it added.

Pedestrian sidewalks and shaded tracks in central of Makkah have been improved, and prayer yards have been expanded to accommodate Hajj crowds, the commission said.

Makkah’s bus network will operate with enhanced services during the period of the pilgrimage, with 400 buses serving 12 routes, 431 stops and four central bus stations.

A 170,000-square-meter pedestrian area in Muzdalifah, a key pilgrimage site southeast of Makkah, has been upgraded with rubber flooring and 10,000 trees to provide shade and reduce the effects of heat on pilgrims.

Healthcare provisions include a fully equipped hospital with a capacity of 200 beds in Mina, a remote valley, also southeast of Makkah, where pilgrims spend the night in tents before performing a Hajj ritual the next day.

The commission has also provided two-story tents to increase the accommodation for pilgrims spending the night in the valley, along with as multistory toilet facilities and electric-scooter services serving three routes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In addition, the commission has set up 71 emergency centers at various locations in Mina, as well as rest areas, shaded spots and 400 chilled water stations.

Hajj is expected to begin on June 4 and continue until June 9.