Saudi Arabia may set up a fully government-owned company to develop the sites and construct residential buildings on Mina mountains in the Western province, said a report.

The Haj ministry has proposed the establishment of the new company for construction of multistorey buildings on Mina mountains as part of its efforts to accommodate more pilgrims in the tent city during Haj, reported Arab News.

Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar said the proposal has been presented to Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif, chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, and it includes a mechanism to finance the project.

“The company will have subsidiaries for leasing and maintenance,” the minister said, adding that project financing could be done through either public funds or commercial banks.

Hajjar said the company would solve many existing problems, such as inadequate air-conditioning, water and electricity supply and sewage services. “It will also increase the capacity of Mina,” he added.