Give these parks a fighting chance

Dubai: Flowering trees that once stood in the public park on Oud Metha Road are currently lying in a shapeless heap of branches and leaves. Such is the fate of one of Dubai's oldest and most beloved green lungs.

Undergoing major changes due to Dubai Metro, parts of Oud Metha Road are also being replaced with tunnels to ease traffic congestion.

However, this has spelled disaster for the neighbourhood park and the community is demanding answers.

Hansika Ratan, an Indian expatriate and mother of two, said: "The park is the only one present in the locality, and people from all walks of life throng to it every evening."

Ratan said residents living in the area were very upset when they discovered that "more than 25 trees were removed and left abandoned in a heap".

She said: "The trees were destroyed very quickly. Before we knew it, half the park was gone."

For Asim Sukhera, a Gulf News reader, the park is an oasis in the bustling city. He said: "The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should have found better alternatives to alter the roads, without affecting the park."

According to Mohit Arora, an Indian expatriate, the "massacre of trees" was unnecessary. He said: "Perhaps the removal could have been handled differently. Instead of completely uprooting the trees, they could have been moved to another location."

For families living in the area, the loss of blossoming trees has a far-reaching impact. Sheetal Randhawa, a housewife and mother of two, said: "I visit the park with my children about five times a week. There are barely any free spaces in convenient locations for them to play."

RTA objective: Maintaining greenery

Maintaining greenery is a key objective for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Adel Mohammad Al Marzouqi, director of right-of-way services at RTA, told Gulf News that the trees would be returned to Oud Metha's public park once roadwork is completed.

He said: "Our rule of thumb is to enhance the foliage, wherever we work. Unfortunately, some of our projects require the removal of trees or parks, but we ensure that we return it to its original state once our work is done."

Madinati Project, launched in 2006, allows the community to voice concerns. Their toll free number is 800 9090 and additional information is available on RTA's website - www.rta.ae

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