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Makkah Introduces Heat-Reflective Roads & Soft Walkways To Ease Hajj Pilgrims’ Journey

Makkah has introduced cooled pedestrian walkways and heat-reflective roads to protect millions of pilgrims from extreme heat during Hajj. The Roads General Authority has expanded its initiative using recycled materials, flexible rubber asphalt, and cooling systems to enhance safety and comfort, especially for the elderly and disabled. This project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision to improve road quality and reduce heat and pollution.

by Deeplata Garde
Makkah Introduces Heat-Reflective Roads & Soft Walkways To Ease Hajj Pilgrims’ Journey

Hajj season in Saudi Arabia brings together millions of pilgrims under one very hot sun. With temperatures rising to scorching levels, the Kingdom has stepped up its game, literally. This year, Makkah has rolled out heat-reflective roads and cooled pedestrian walkways to make the pilgrimage safer, smoother, and far less sweaty.

Beating The Heat In Makkah: Cooled Walkways Make Hajj Safer And Softer

The Saudi Roads General Authority (RGA) isn’t just paving the way with good intentions, it’s making way with heat-busting technology. Since 2023, the cooled road initiative has grown by 82%, covering over 84,000 square metres in Arafat. The magic lies in recycled, locally sourced materials that slash surface temperatures by 12°C. Not just that, they bounce back 30 to 40% more sunlight in the morning hours, tackling that urban heat island effect.

In a city where the ground could fry an egg by 10 am, this cooling feature is a game-changer. It not only makes the environment more comfortable for pilgrims but also reduces the need for cooling systems that use a lot of energy and cuts air pollution. 

Walk The Comfortable Way

Now for the real showstopper: a 4,000-metre accessible pedestrian path leading up to Mount Arafat. It’s a purpose-built track with cooled paving, designed specifically to ease the journey for pilgrims with disabilities and their caretakers. Think fewer vibrations, smoother mobility, and much happier feet.

That’s not all. The soft rubber asphalt, now covering 16,000 square metres, absorbs impact like a sponge. This flexible surface has been laid between Namira Mosque and Arafat Train Station, providing extra comfort for elderly pilgrims and anyone who’s spent a little too long on their feet. According to studies by the Road Research Centre, this rubberised road material seriously improves comfort and reduces risk.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Deploys Drones Over Makkah To Catch Illegal Pilgrims This Hajj Season

Mist, Shade And A Touch Of Green

If the cool roads and walkways weren’t enough, the initiative has thrown in a few more thoughtful touches. A 1,200-metre green corridor now lines the route, dotted with trees, water fountains, and even mist-cooling systems. With a long-term vision to rank Saudi roads sixth globally by 2030 and cut road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people, this project is one cool step in a broader national plan. With 73,000 kilometres of roads crisscrossing the country, Saudi Arabia already has the world’s best intercity connectivity.

So the next time you’re in Makkah and feel that the ground is less heated than expected, thank the folks behind these cooled walkways. The future of pilgrimage just got a lot cooler. Literally.

Cover Image Courtesy: RGA Saudi/X

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First Published: May 29, 2025 5:34 PM