The General Authority for Roads announced the issuance of more than 5,500 permits to regulate work on the road network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during February 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to raise the efficiency of planning and operation and ensure the application of the highest standards of safety and quality on roads, in line with the strategic objectives of the roads sector.

Details of issued permits and performance figures

Official statistics released by the authority revealed that a total of 5,511 permits of various types were issued during February. Permits for exceptional loads accounted for the largest share of these, totaling 5,082, reflecting the growing logistical activity and active transport traffic on the Kingdom's roads.

Regarding construction and service works, the Authority issued 237 permits for excavation work, in addition to 3 permits for extending excavation periods, while it received and processed 189 clearance requests. These precise figures confirm the Authority's commitment to regulating all work carried out within the road right-of-way to ensure that traffic flow and infrastructure are not affected.

Enhancing safety and quality of life

The General Authority for Roads clarified that these regulatory procedures are not solely aimed at issuing permits, but are an integral part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance road safety outside urban areas. Through this mechanism, the Authority is working to streamline the process for beneficiaries, including companies and contractors, while ensuring their adherence to technical standards that preserve assets and extend the lifespan of roads.

These efforts are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which pays great attention to the transport and logistics sector, as the quality of roads is a fundamental pillar for promoting economic development and connecting the different regions of the Kingdom.

Ambitious targets and global indicators

The General Authority for Roads is steadily working towards achieving the strategic goals of the roads sector, which include world-class ambitions. Among these goals is achieving sixth place globally in the road quality index, which requires continuous work in maintenance, operation, and regulation.

The Authority also has a lofty humanitarian goal of reducing traffic fatalities to less than 5 per 100,000 people. To achieve this, the Authority relies on implementing traffic safety factors according to the International Road Assessment Programme (IRAP) classification, ensuring a safe and sustainable road network capable of accommodating increasing traffic volume and supporting the comprehensive development the country is witnessing.

His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh, issued an urgent directive to all branches of the Ministry in various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stipulating the need to immediately begin completing all the necessary preparations and arrangements to prepare the Eid prayer grounds and mosques to receive worshippers to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer for the year 1447 AH.

The ministerial directive emphasized the paramount importance of maintaining mosques and ensuring their readiness in terms of cleanliness, upkeep, and operation, so that worshippers can perform their rituals in a spiritually uplifting and tranquil atmosphere. The directive also specified that Eid prayers in all approved prayer areas and mosques should be held 15 minutes after sunrise, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar, to ensure uniformity of timing and facilitate matters for citizens and residents.

In the context of spatial organization, the circular stipulated the adoption of holding prayers in open Eid prayer grounds, following the Sunnah of the Prophet, in addition to mosques in all regions, with the exception of mosques adjacent to prayer grounds or those not frequented by worshippers in some villages and centers that are satisfied with the main Eid prayer ground, in order to ensure that efforts are not scattered and to focus the services provided to the guests of God.

The directive addressed an important jurisprudential and organizational issue related to the coincidence of Eid with Friday, as His Excellency the Minister stressed to the preachers the necessity of holding the Friday prayer at its usual time and not being satisfied with the Eid prayer, for those who wish to attend the Friday prayer or who did not witness the Eid prayer, which reflects the Ministry’s keenness to apply the Sharia rulings accurately and to take into account the circumstances of all segments of society.

This early initiative by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs comes as part of its comprehensive strategy for the upkeep of mosques and prayer areas, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's mission to serve Islam and Muslims. Caring for Eid prayer areas extends beyond simply providing carpets and cleaning; it also includes inspecting sound and air conditioning systems and ensuring safety measures are in place to accommodate the large numbers of worshippers who flock to the mosques for this joyous occasion.

This directive reflects the great attention the wise leadership – may God support them – pays to mosques and their physical and spiritual upkeep, as the state dedicates all its resources to serving religious rites and facilitating their performance. Eid prayer is considered a manifestation of unity and cohesion among members of society, and therefore, proper preparation for it contributes to showcasing this ritual in a manner befitting the Kingdom's status as the heart of the Islamic world.