** Forum Nasional Indonesia PPI India Mailing List ** ** Untuk bergabung dg Milis Nasional kunjungi: ** Situs Milis: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ ** ** Beasiswa dalam negeri dan luar negeri S1 S2 S3 dan post-doctoral scholarship, kunjungi http://informasi-beasiswa.blogspot.com **http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=78358&d=25&m=2&y=2006 Saturday, 25, February, 2006 (26, Muharram, 1427) Makkah Tunnel Filling Expected to Protect Sources of Zamzam P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News JEDDAH, 25 February 2006 - Two rainwater drainage tunnels in Makkah will be fortified by filling them with gravel in order to prevent their collapse. The project is estimated to cost between SR300 and SR400 million. The tunnels were built about two decades ago. "The main objective of the project is to stabilize the earth around the tunnels as a possible collapse would endanger structures above them," the project's supervisor Samer Al-Shouman told Arab News. The project aims at improving water quality in the area and protecting Zamzam water. The Saudi Binladin Group will implement the project in April under the supervision of Saudi Geological Survey (SGS). "This is the first such project in the world," said Muhammad Tawfiq, president of SGS, while talking to reporters after inspecting arrangements to carry out the project, which was ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. "The new project will not change the hydrological features of the area and will not affect the quantity or quality of the water around the tunnels," he said. The first tunnel with a length of 1,850 meters and depth of 30 to 35 meters begins from the Hajoun car park and ends near the Grand Mosque's eastern courtyard. The second tunnel has a length of 1,300 meters and depth of 35 to 45 meters and starts from the Maabda traffic tunnel and ends at the Hajoun bridge. "The two tunnels had a negative effect on the hydrogeology regime in the area. They also had an adverse effect on the Zamzam water level," said Al-Shouman, adding that the new project is designed to protect the Zamzam water in terms of quality and quantity. A pre-run of the project was done at the Saudi Binladin Group's industrial complex in Jeddah to make sure that it could be implemented properly and quickly. Al-Shouman said a special vehicle has been designed to fill the tunnels. "It's like a moon craft and was developed using space technology and the work can be accomplished using remote control technology," the project supervisor said. The tunnels were constructed 20 years ago without conducting detailed studies on their effect on the hydrogeology of the area. The government has installed new drainage networks, rendering the old tunnels redundant. The Zamzam Studies and Research Center at SGS works to ensure secure supply of the holy water, said Al-Shouman, who is the director of the center. The center has set up a series of investigative projects to define, quantify and monitor the water source and provide the information needed to manage and sustain supplies in the face of increasing demand. The Zamzam Well is 30.5 meter deep and has a diameter ranging from 1.08 to 2.66 meters. The well lies within Wadi Ibrahim, which runs through Makkah. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] *************************************************************************** Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia *************************************************************************** __________________________________________________________________________ Mohon Perhatian: 1. Harap tdk. memposting/reply yg menyinggung SARA (kecuali sbg otokritik) 2. Pesan yg akan direply harap dihapus, kecuali yg akan dikomentari. 3. Reading only, http://dear.to/ppi 4. Satu email perhari: ppiindia-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 5. No-email/web only: ppiindia-nomail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 6. kembali menerima email: ppiindia-normal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: ppiindia-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ** Forum Nasional Indonesia PPI India Mailing List ** ** Untuk bergabung dg Milis Nasional kunjungi: ** Situs Milis: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ ** ** Beasiswa dalam negeri dan luar negeri S1 S2 S3 dan post-doctoral scholarship, kunjungi http://informasi-beasiswa.blogspot.com **