The ground level of the Grand Mosque expansion in Mecca will be open for pilgrims this Hajj season, the head of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, said on Friday.
According to a report by the Saudi Gazette, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais said that the King Abdullah expansion will be ready for use this Hajj, with the capacity of the mosque complex increased by 300,000 worshippers.
The Saudi Arabian government is funding extensive expansion works to the Grand Mosque complex, with plans already afoot for the expropriating of some 2,000 properties in the Holy City. 
This project is expected to cost $8bn, including compensations, the construction of train stations and parking lots, and developing the new Grand Mosque endowment.
