Wide and Comfortable Walkways ready for Hajj Pilgrims

Muslims undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage this year will benefit from improved, safer walkways in Makkah, thanks to the expanded use of a new road construction technique. Saudi authorities have announced a 33% increase in roads built using flexible rubber asphalt, with work completed on the stretch from Namirah Mosque to Al-Mashaer train station in Arafat.

This has raised the total area covered to 16,000 square metres, reports Saudi Arabia-based English newspaper Arab News. “Instead of accumulating used tyres, 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 cited the Kingdom’s Roads General Authority (RGA), which stated that tests on traditional asphalt surfaces and standard pavements showed they “cause strong reactions on pilgrims’ ankles and feet, especially the elderly, who constitute 53% of pilgrims.”

Approximately 38% of foot and ankle injuries treated at healthcare facilities during Hajj are linked to walking on conventional walkways. Flexible rubber asphalt, described as a smart surface, helps absorb shock and alleviates pressure on joints, particularly the ankles and feet.

The RGA initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include a commitment to sustainable development, the advancement of smart cities, and the enhancement of safety and comfort for all residents and visitors.

Officials expect this year’s number of Hajj pilgrims to exceed last year’s figure, which, according to the General Authority for Statistics, stood at 1.83 million. Of these, 1.61 million travelled from abroad, while 221,854 were domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and expatriates.

Hajj 2025 is expected to begin on 4 June, pending confirmation by Saudi Arabia’s official moon-sighting authorities. As of 21 May 2025, a total of 755,344 pilgrims had arrived in the Kingdom from overseas via air, land, and sea entry points, according to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat).

Indonesian pilgrims are once again expected to form the largest delegation for Hajj 2025. Last year, 221,000 Indonesian pilgrims participated in the pilgrimage, followed by Pakistan with 180,000. India was third with 175,025, Bangladesh fourth with 127,198, and Nigeria completed the top five with 95,000 pilgrims.