UAE | Society

Sharjah Municipality warns used cars dealers

Showroom owners accused of harassing residents and occupying parking spaces illegally for commercial reasons

By Shafaat Shahbandari and Mariam M. Al Serkal
Published: 21:20 September 2, 2012

Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
Abu Shagara residents struggle to find parking spaces for their vehicles as most parking spots are taken up by used car showrooms.

Sharjah: Used car dealers in Abu Shagara have been warned not to take up public spaces after complaints from local residents.

The dealers are already prohibited from using parking lots but are ignoring the law, meaning residents have just a handful of spaces available, forcing them to risk fines by parking in unauthorised areas.

Both municipality inspectors and Sharjah Police told Gulf News that car showroom owners face fines should the practice continue,

Mohammad Musharraf, a longtime resident of the area, said: “What is happening here in Abu Shagara is really unfair. The parking spaces meant for the public are totally occupied by these showroom owners.

“They even occupy the pavements, but when we park our cars on the pavements or on the side of the buildings we are penalised by the municipality inspectors.

“It is impossible to drive on the internal roads at times, particularly on Friday evenings, as all the commercial activities take place on the roads.

Comments (17)

Added 17:05 September 3, 2012

Just one suggestion..... I urge authorities to visit the Abu Shagara area on Friday afternoon between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM and and and see themselves the behavior themselves. of the used car dealers.

Muhammed, Sharjah,, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:27 September 3, 2012

This is a great initiative by the Shj authorities and Gulf news, but highlighting the issue is not the solution. Until the dealers are shifted, the authorities need to find a solution that would be beneficial to both, the used car dealers and the residents. The comments put in by many readers are spot on about different rules being applied for residents and the shop owners. One of the solutions would be to make the whole area around Abu Shagara park a paid parking area by the authorities. This would discourage the used car owners / car polish shops to take up parking space and the amount paid for the parking yearly will be equal to the fines most of the people pay to the authorities, not to mention the peace of mind for the residents, and the fuel tha Abu Shagara residents waste while going around the blocks looking for parking.

Pursh, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:39 September 3, 2012

Once upon a time Sharjah-Abushagara was the best residential area in Sharjah. For the past one or two years, it is a nightmare to exit or enter my building area, especially on Thursdays, especially on Fridays due to traffice jam. There is too much Noise Polution, sudden Quarrels and Double Parking in resident parking areas. It takes at least 20 minutes to exit 1 km. Moreover, every day unknown faces watch our entry/exit time around the building area, which gives us insecure feeling. Encourage the used car businesses in a right way, maybe shifting to the outskirts. Live and Let Live. Since i know that used cars people are parked their cars in our residential car parkng area, I am parking my car very far and walking to my home every night.

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:31 September 3, 2012

My Sincere thanks to Gulf News for publishing this Article. Being a resident for the past 7 years conditions are even worse now. Every day there are new Used Car Dealers/Accessories shops/ Car polishing units coming up in an area which is purely allocated for residential. It's really hard to find the parking spot as 99% of them were occupied by these bad tempered/ Mannerless dealers. Friends and families think twice visiting these areas on any occasions since they hardly get any parking. People find it hard to come out of the building as the exits were blocked by these parked cars. Last time I spent nearly 3 hours inside the car since all the roads blocked and the entire road was busy with car dealings. These Used Car Dealers reserve the parking by using their chairs, table, Plastic Cones or by Parking in an such way that no one else can park in there and more shockingly none of them have a Number plate so the RTA cant fine them, and by luck if you park your car near their shops next morning either you cant get into your vehicle or you will find all the scratch and dent marks which are done deliberately. Recently authorities started fining the vehicles which are parked on the side of buildings (the last hope for any residents) by saying that it's illegal. I ask the authorities where else one should park as most of Abu-shagara are were engulfed by these Car dealers and there only few new building which come with a Car Parking facility and which were already reserved for the flat owners. Putting more patrols or RTA officials doesn't solve the problem. These are not only my view points but I am sure every resident of Abu-shagara feel and will agree with this. I pray and believe that Sharjah RTA, Municipality and Gulf News will follow up with this Article and will make this place healthy and safe for all the residents.

George, Mangalore, India

Added 13:05 September 3, 2012

I am a long time resident of Abu Shagara, when i returned from vacation recently i got a shock as the only available bare land for parking had been cordoned off and taken over by a car sales shop. this is next to the half built municipality parking lot. Double parking seems to be norm for them and for us residents it has become a nightmare to find a parking spot. Even taking out a parked car is so a hassle as the way is invariably blocked by haphazed parking without any concern. I request the authorities take action to ensure that cars for sale are not parked in public parking areas.

Anonymous, sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:02 September 3, 2012

Good article. but authorities need to take strict action. don't allow this type of business in residence area. Authorities need to give a separate area for them. I am a resident of Abu Shagara for the last 5 years and every year we see similar articles and no action taken. some points to be noted. A- everyday new open parking spaces are allotted to these shop owner. B - New car polishing, car checks and car wash also using the residence car park area.

Anonymous, SHJ, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:30 September 3, 2012

I would like to congratulate Gulf News for publishing this article, I am a resident of Abu Shagara for the last 7 years. Abu Shagarah is a good area, conveniant and accesable to many things, except the mess of the parking and second hand car dealers. They not only occupy the parking lots apart from the alotted space, they also block the vehicles on the roads. Some good measure to be taken to improve the standard of the sales methods and clear the parking issue. I hope Gulf News will not stop with this article and there will be follow up on this matter.

Abdul Vahab, Sharjah , Abushagara, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:22 September 3, 2012

Over the period of time Abu Shagara has become a big residential area and car dealers occupying the space have become a perennial problem. As promised by the authorities if actions can be taken on the violators it will be a solace to all residents. Having said this does not mean that all are against the car dealers operating in that area. If the authorities can reduce the number of showrooms can also make some difference. Abu Shagara, otherwise a good residential area, looks very congested with so many car dealers and their cars parked everywhere and more over the people who come to trade in their car make it even more difficult even for the pedestrians. My feelings are that it is high time the authorities take this seriously and find a new place for all these car dealers where they have enough space to do their business in a congenial atmosphere.

Shivshankar K.T., Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:19 September 3, 2012

there is no parking available for the residence in Abu Shagara. authorities should do some thing in order to resolve this issue as it's going on for long time. Thanks

Mohammad Atif, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:40 September 3, 2012

First of all I would like to congratulate Gulf News for publishing this article. I have been staying in Abu Shagara for the last 6 years and I have been hearing the news that Car Market is being shifted to remote area. But relocation is not happening! At least, I would request authorities to take strict action against unauthorized parking and blocking the roads so that residents will not suffer too much. I hope Gulf News will not stop with this article and there will be follow up on this matter.

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates