The Saudi government is presently working on more than 1,148 projects in Madinah worth over SR3 billion ($800 million) and aims to complete them this year, said a report.

These include developmental projects such as playing grounds and public parks which will cost SR9 million ($2.4 million) besides work on repairing the tunnels and bridges in the first roundabout area and consultation services on the city’s infrastructure, reported the Saudi Gazette, citing sources.

The city has already achieved 39 per cent of the planned projects. Over 20 per cent of these projects are large, 37 are of medium size and 42 per cent are small.

Madinah officials are presently working on the ambitious 500-bed King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital project, and the 400-bed Childbirth and Maternity Hospital.

Other key developments under way include the Madinah shuttles project, which is estimated to cost SR78.9 million ($21 million) and the SR57-million ($15.2 million) King Faisal Road project as well as 13 new projects worth SR256 million ($68.2 million) at The Islamic University at Madinah, said the report.

Another major project coming up in Madinah is a 400-bed university hospital at the College of Medicine to be built at a cost of SR500 million ($133.2 million).

The city will also develop health care projects including a SR200-million ($53.3 million) mental health hospital in Yanbu, it added.