MAKKAH: The Makkah Region Development Authority (MRDA) has begun a modernization project of checkpoints for pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah, which should reduce waiting times significantly, it has announced.

The project was launched under instructions from Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, governor of Makkah and MRDA chairman, and the supervision of Prince Badr bin Sultan, deputy governor of Makkah.