Business & Finance Group - Real Estate - MAKKAH: Abbas Qattan, the head of the committee in charge of development at the Grand Mosque's north courtyards has said that the First Ring Road project to be located 180 meters to the east of the north courtyards has been approved.

"The project will greatly improve traffic flow by connecting the Ali Mountain Pass tunnels and Al-Falaq tunnels, and Jabl Al-Kabah and Umm Al-Qura roads, as it will extend through the area of Jabl Omar area and pass through King Abdul Aziz Endowment," Qattan said.

According to Qattan, SR45 billion have been allocated for the appropriation of properties for development of the northern courtyards.

"SR26 billion of those funds have already been given out in compensation," he said.

Qattan added that work is being conducted on three pedestrian tunnels leading to the Haram and property expropriation for the tunnels is being carried out in Jarwal, Al-Hujoon and Rai' Al-Rasam.

Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz Al-Huqail, president of Saudi Railways, has said that works for the Haramain Train project are progressing satisfactorily.

"Rock cutting and digging works have begun, as have renovation works on bridges and overpasses," Al-Huqail said Thursday. "Some other works are still in the process of being marked out by workers at the sites."