Iraq is constructing the first underground accommodation complex for the pilgrims visiting the shrines in the holy city of Karbala.

The project is the first construction in Iraq with capacity for one million pilgrims, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
 
Hussein Reza Mahdi, head of the engineering projects at Husseini shrines said the construction will cover 1.5 million square meters and will accommodate one million pilgrims.
 
The complex includes library, museum, school, kindergarten, sanitary facilities, hospital and also tunnels to connect the different sections to each other and also to the holy shrine.

 
The idea to expand the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) was first discussed following the topple of former Iraqi Baath regime.
 
Due to lack of facilities to accommodate the great number of pilgrims heading for the holy shrines in Iraq, the first plans for the mega project were completed in 2014.

 
The construction began following approval of the authorities, ministries and municipality of Karbala. The project is in four major sections including the courtyard of Hazrat Zeinab (AS), Imam Hassan Mujtaba, Imam Mahdi and Habib ibn Mazaher courtyards.
 
The first part of the project, Hazrat Zeinab courtyard, in 52,000 square meters was completed in 2017.