Iraq Resumes Construction of Hajj Land Route
This is one of the strategic projects in Iraq and will revitalize the historic land route for Hajj pilgrimage, said Najaf governor Luay al-Yassiry, Iraqi News Agency reported.
The road will have a positive effect on both the country and on Najaf because the governorate is Iraq’s gate to Saudi Arabia, said the official, also blaming the Ministry of Construction and Housing for the delay in completing the project.
The financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic are among the main reasons behind the delay in the project, he said. “This project was ratified in 2011 and started in 2013 but then was halted due to lack of required funds.”
Muhammad Ali Jassim, a representative of the Ministry of Construction and Housing, said the length of the route is about 239 kilometers and will be constructed in several stages. Each stage of the project will include building 50 kilometers of route, he added.
The project will also give local people improved accessibility to the center of the province.
Overland Hajj route is one of the historic routes that pilgrims used to take to reach Mecca from the northern areas.
