UAE | Emergencies
UAE residents spend hours trying to cross into Oman
Travellers complained about a "chaotic" scene on both sides, with travellers getting frustrated and angry.
- By Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 November 28, 2009
Muscat : Hundreds of UAE residents going to Oman through the Wajaja border crossing for the Eid holidays had to spend hours at the border on Thursday.
Hundreds of UAE-registered cars clogged the road leading to the crossing as residents waited to get exit stamps at the UAE side and entry visas at the Omani side.
Travellers complained about a "chaotic" scene on both sides, with travellers getting frustrated and angry.
Sabeen Thaver, a Dubai resident going to Muscat, had to wait an hour at the UAE side and four hours at the Omani side. She said queuing on both sides was "very disorganised".
"But officials on the Oman side picked out women with children for faster processing," she said.
Thaver said she felt "trapped" because "turning back to enter the UAE meant standing in queue again to enter".
R.M., also going to Muscat, said the UAE side of the border had no shade, "and no cafeterias or rest rooms".
She said travellers were getting "very frustrated" on the Omani side and "some were getting angry and getting into arguments".
"A woman standing there told me she had left Abu Dhabi at 6.30am and was still waiting there by 4pm," said R.M. The Al Ain-Buraimi border is an alternative route for road travellers to Oman.
More from UAE Emergencies
More from UAE
Latest news
- Tracks to be laid on recycled material
- Golden Hour crucial to a patient's survival
- Opening show worthy of UAE
- Sun is shining on prospects for solar power
- Artists focus on craftsmanship
- World leaders committed to supporting civilians
- Schools open a new page in teaching English
- Special parking to help disabled tourists
- Blind woman lights up corridors of power
- Helping hand surgeons have long sought
- In Mind
- At times, I think of committing suicide
- Designer of a creative haven
- Fund to help Dubai taxi drivers' families
- New life-saving fleet of vehicles
Community Reports
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
-
Leukaemia boy granted wish to meet footballer
Emirati meets hero Al Qahtani, Al Ain team
