MAKKAH: Muslims performing Hajj this year will enjoy better quality and safer walkways in Makkah, thanks to the increased use of a new road construction technique.
Saudi authorities have announced a 33 percent expansion of roads made of flexible rubber asphalt this year, with work on the road extending from Namirah Mosque to Al-Mashaer train station in Arafat, raising the total area to 16,000 sq. meters.
“Instead of accumulating used tires, which are a major source of air pollution when burned, this technology recycles them and transforms them into a flexible asphalt layer that absorbs impact and provides comfortable walking paths,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The report quoted the Kingdom’s Roads General Authority who said tests on asphalt surfaces and regular sidewalks showed that they “cause strong reactions on pilgrims’ ankles and feet, especially the elderly, who constitute 53 percent of pilgrims.”
About 38 percent of foot and ankle injuries that are dealt with by healthcare facilities during Hajj have been attributed to walking on regular walkways.
As explained, smart surfaces that use flexible rubber asphalt help absorb shock and relieve pressure on the body’s joints, especially the ankles and feet.
The RGA experiment is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 commitment to sustainable development, smart cities, and enhancing the safety and comfort of all residents and visitors.
Saudi officials expect the number of pilgrims for Hajj this year to surpass last year’s figure, which the General Authority for Statistics counted at 1.83 million. Of that number, 1.61 million arrived from outside the Kingdom, while 221,854 were internal pilgrims, including citizens and expatriates.
Hajj 2025 is expected to start on June 4, subject to confirmation by Saudi Arabia’s official moon-sighting authorities.
As of May 21, 2025, 755,344 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom from abroad through air, land and sea entry points, according to the General Directorate of Passports, also known as the Jawazath.
Indonesian pilgrims are expected to form the biggest delegation again for Hajj 2025. Last year, 221,000 Indonesian pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom for Hajj, followed by Pakistan with 180,000. India was third at 175,025, Bangladesh was fourth at 127,198, and Nigeria completed the top five with 95,000 pilgrims.
