Saudi Arabia Asphalt Roads With Rubber Lent Materials To Reduce Wrinkle Pressure And Foot Soles Of Hajj Pilgrims

Illustration of hajj pilgrims. (Wikimedia Commons/Omar Chatriwala of Al Jazeera English)

JAKARTA - The Saudi Arabian government is completing preparations to accommodate more than 1.5 million pilgrims starting this week.

One of the steps taken is to pave the streets with flexural rubber asphalt, for the convenience of the pilgrims.

"The experiment has shown the hardness of the standard asphalt surface and sidewalks causes discomfort and problems in the ankles and foot soles of pilgrims, especially the elderly, which amount to 53 percent of the total pilgrims," said Arab Logistics and Services Minister Audi Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, as reported by The National News on June 10.

The Hajj pilgrims will mainly use a new paved road on the road that is parallel to the pedestrian path to Mount Arafah, the location of the last day of the pilgrimage where the pilgrims will spend the day praying or wuskuf in Arafah.

"The use of this technology is expected to reduce the pressure on the ankles and soles, provide a sense of comfort while walking, which will ultimately improve the public health of the congregation and improve their quality of life," said Minister Al Jasser.

As previously reported, this year's Hajj season will start on June 14, with wukuf in Arafah falling on June 15 and Eid the following day.

The Saudi Arabian Meteorology Agency has estimated that the average temperature is up to 48 degrees Celsius in Makkah during this month's pilgrimage.

"The climate estimate for this year's Hajj is an increase in the average temperature of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Makkah and Medina," said Ayman Ghulam, Head of the National Meteorological Center.

He said the afternoon temperature could peak at 48 degrees Celsius.

"We estimate relative humidity of 25 percent, and although we expect a low chance of rain for almost all day, there are some estimates of heavy rains in the Taif highlands that may reach the holy places," he said.