Bahraini smart cards will not be accepted for entry at King Fahad Causeway for pilgrims to Makkah, it has emerged.

Haj pilgrims should carry their passports to enter Saudi Arabia, said General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence exits director Shawki Al Sobai.

He said that they have also increased their staff at the causeway and Bahrain International Airport ahead of the Haj season that starts this month.

Al Sobai said, to expedite the traffic process, separate lanes were allocated for buses carrying pilgrims through the causeway.

'The pilgrims should ensure their documents are in order, including the validity of their passports, residence permits and visa to enter Saudi Arabia,' he said.Bahrain officials will hold a meeting with their counterparts at the King Fahad Causeway Authority to prepare a table of timings and dates of departures for pilgrims.-TradeArabia News Service