Municipal inspectors in a recent clampdown on fuel stations slapped fines totaling SR60,000 on 35 violators of fuel and food regulations at fuel stations and adjoining food outlets on the Haj road in Taif.

The officials also closed down a number of other facilities.

Taif Mayor Muhammad Al-Mukhrej said the municipal campaign against violations covered 41 fuel stations, food outlets and coffee houses attached to the fuel stations to ensure that pilgrims stopping at these roadside stations to rest are not cheated by traders.

More than 40,000 businesses in the municipality were monitored during the Haj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Thousands of domestic pilgrims commute to and from Makkah on the Haj road following the pilgrimage. “We are keen to ensure that businesses are complying with the regulations,” Mukhrej said, adding that it is all being done in the public’s interest.