'Kadadas' thrives on demand for illegal pilgrims' transport

(MENAFN- Arab News) Major highways and roads between Makkah and Madinah are witnessing increased tension between security personnel and drivers of private cars who have been taking advantage of the Haj season to transport pilgrims without Haj permits between Makkah Madinah and the holy sites.

'Kadada' or transporting pilgrims has grown increasingly popular among employees and college students owing to the lucrative returns from the activity. Drivers of these private vehicles can often make thrice the normal amount of revenue earned during normal days causing many to take advantage of the busy season.

According to experts the drivers are usually employees or students in the public or private sectors and often raise the prices of their services for pilgrims especially those without Haj permits and in need of transport between the three pilgrim cities of Makkah Madinah and Jeddah.

However the lack of a Haj permit classifies Kadada as a violation with authorities often booking these drivers.

The General Syndicate of Cars said more than 20 thousand vehicles transport pilgrims between cities making the Haj season a golden opportunity for public transport companies to achieve high returns despite the increasing presence of unregulated private transportation services.

Saeed Al-Ghamdi who works in the transport business for pilgrims during the Haj season said the strict regulations against pilgrims without Haj permits throws up opportunities to make high earnings for the drivers of private vehicles. He said prices can reach as high as sR1000 per person to transport pilgrims without permits and some drivers can make more than SR50000 during the Haj season.

Faida Al-Saadi said despite tightening security on transportation services drivers find new routes which bypass the security checkpoints each year to bring pilgrims without permits into Makkah or the holy sites.

Some drivers even charge 200 riyals per vehicle to get these vehicles into Makkah without passing security checkpoints.

Amer Al-Manhali said the busiest days for drivers are typically the 12th and 13th of Dhu Al-Hijjah when pilgrims leave Mina to go to Makkah making it a good opportunity for drivers to increase prices as pilgrims without permits have limited options for transportation.

Meanwhile security forces in Al-Baheeta said 91 vehicles were booked for attempting to smuggle pilgrims into Makkah while more than 7 thousand violators were identified during the past few days. General Shafi Al-Subaie head of the facility for impounded vehicles in Al-Baheeta said all vehicles were being used to transport pilgrims illegally and were identified along the major roads leading to the holy sites carrying up to 25 passengers at a time. He said the vehicles will be transported to the booked vehicles facility in Makkah after the end of the Haj season for further legal action. All drivers were fingerprinted and their cases transferred to the specialized committee for further action he said.

Security authorities had earlier announced that 51112 vehicles without permits were turned back for trying to enter the holy sites.