ILAM, Iran: Mehran border crossings reached 950,000 pilgrim entries and exits from the start of Safar through July 28, Ilam Governor Ahmad Karami said ahead of the Arbaeen commemoration.
The checkpoint recorded 174,000 movements during the previous 24 hours, according to the official figures published by IRNA.
Karami said authorities had deployed 900 buses and vans at the crossing. The transport plan provides capacity for an estimated 3.5 million pilgrims during the full operation.
Officials activated 100 entry, exit and passport-control gates to prevent crowding. Karami said each passport check took about four seconds.
Authorities also established 124 parking areas with a capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Fifty-two volunteer service stations have received water and electricity connections.
Read: PIA Launches Riyadh-Sialkot Route and Arbaeen Flights to Najaf
Additional preparations include shaded areas, misting systems and emergency vehicles. Seven municipalities deployed 700 sanitation and support workers at the terminal.
National data released in Tehran on July 25 showed that more than 1.7 million Iranians had registered for Arbaeen. About 58% selected Mehran, while 24% chose Shalamcheh and 11% chose Khosravi, IRNA reported.
Mehran lies about 95 kilometres southwest of Ilam city in western Iran. Its proximity to Iraq’s holy cities makes it the country’s busiest land route for Arbaeen pilgrims.
Read: Karachi-Iraq Ferry Service for Pilgrims Govt Plans
Iraq recorded 1,813,188 foreign arrivals from 172 nationalities between June 16 and July 26, according to the head of its Security Media Cell.
Arbaeen falls on August 5 and marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, who was killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680.
