Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal yesterday concluded his inspection tour of Turba and Khorma and reviewed progress of work on new development projects worth SR 2.64 billion in the two cities.

In Khorma, new development projects valued at more than SR 1.28 billion are under implementation, an official report said. Twenty-six projects worth SR 140 million have already been completed including five electricity projects, two water, two health, 11 municipal and five education projects.

"These projects include a health center and a dialysis unit," the report said.

Speaking about ongoing projects in the city, the report said 23 projects valued at SR 616 million are under construction. They include three road projects, three housing projects, 11 municipal projects and three educational projects. "A total 260 housing units will be constructed in the first phase of the housing project," the report pointed out.

The government has approved 26 new projects valued at SR 532 million in Khorma, including a central transformer station east of Taif, a secondary industrial institute, a strategic water storage tank and additional classrooms for the College of Girls.

The Turba Local Council yesterday presented a memorandum to the governor demanding establishment of a branch of Taif University. They also called for increasing the capacity of Turba Hospital from 30 to 200 beds, expanding telecom facilities, opening of a branch of the Finance Ministry and Saudi Credit Bank, police and civil defense offices in Hashraj, Shaar, Alba, Arqain, Qawama, Khalediya, Asla, Alawa and Khodaira and implementation Kharma-Turba two-way road and the Riyadh-Taif expressway.

Khaled Al-Ruwais, chief administrator of Turba, said Prince Khaled's visit would boost the city's development. "Last year, Prince Khaled reviewed the progress of work on 38 projects. He also allocated four million cubic meters of land for a housing project and approved a residential district for limited-income people," he said. The upgrading of the city from B to A category would accelerate its development, he added.

Prince Khaled began his tour from Turba and reviewed the progress of work on a number of new development projects valued at SR 1.35 billion. The ongoing projects in Turba include construction of preliminary, intermediate and secondary schools, construction of a bridge over Turba Valley, asphalting and lighting of roads and streets, renovation of the vegetable market, flood-prevention projects and new electricity connections.

"The Khorma Council presented a number of new projects to the governor including establishment of a university campus and new colleges for dentistry, administrative sciences and engineering. They also wanted an institute of science and technical colleges for boys and girls," the report said.

The people of Khorma are also looking for the setting up of a literary club in the city to promote culture and literary work and institute a prize for creativity. They also want a public library, summer camps, an annual book exhibition and cultural contests for students.

A committee to settle disputes between individuals and families, a committee for the protection of women and children from violence, a center for taking care of people of special needs, a center for the treatment of drug addicts and an office of the national committee for taking care of prisoners are their other demands.