The Cabinet approved a SR 60 billion plan for the implementation of a metro rail network in Makkah, which would link the Makkah Metro and the Two Holy Mosques Express Train to facilitate access to the Grand Mosque. The first of four stations will be located in the Ajyad area in front of Al-Shohada Hotel, the second in Mount Madafea, the third in Shoab Amer at Gaazh region, and the forth in the Misfalah area, said Abbas Qattan, assistant deputy director for Construction and Projects, and chairman of the Committee for the Development of Makkah municipality. Qattan also pointed out that there would be 1,800 property expropriations for building these four stations. “The committee of the assessment and evaluation of real estate, which consists of the governorate of Makkah, Makkah Municipality, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance in addition to two expert real estate agents has completed estimating Shoab Amer’s real estate after the completion of a cadastral survey in the area. Accordingly, the Saudi Electric Company has also been instructed to disconnect the power supply to these properties” said Qattan. He said that the committee of the assessment and evaluation of real estate began estimating Mount Kaaba’s real estate, and it would begin within two weeks to assess Ajyad real estates in preparation for disconnecting their power supply. He explained that the properties had been evacuated and their owners and investors warned against contracting any Umrah or Haj companies as the buildings would be demolished for the Metro project. Some property owners complained of the delay in the payout of compensations, particularly since some compensations belong to a number of heirs. Qattan explained that all amounts were available for distribution immediately after the completion of all the necessary procedures. However, some deeds to the lands or buildings didn’t have a recording of the dimensions, delaying the payment of compensation. He indicated that these properties constitute only a small percentage compared to the number of properties that have been expropriated in favor of the Development of the Northern Courtyards (CDNC) and its complementary projects. From: Arab News