Two years ago, the problem of parking space in Abu Dhabi was at its worst but residents were promised it will be eased. Today, the problem is even worse.

Two new massive parking lots have been constructed in the bustling city centre but many small parking spaces have been further reduced or cordoned off for construction work.

The ordeal of the drivers is underscored in the downtown area, where at least 50,000 cars shuttle daily and nearly half of them look for parking room.

The problem has aggravated the chronic traffic congestion in the capital and deepened the agony of traffic policemen who sometimes stand helpless in the face of enormous traffic build up in narrow streets in the heart of the cosmopolitan city.

But as the Arabic saying goes "the bane of some people could be a boon to others", the parking problem appears to have largely boosted the traffic police's coffers.

At least 200 tickets are seen issued every day to violating cars in just one area that is sandwiched between Khalifa and Hamdan streets near the Novotel Hotel.

Just opposite that hotel, the area between Ajman University and the Capital Park, not exceeding 8,000 square metres, appears to be the main victim of the parking mess.

The area has been under great traffic pressure as it houses the university, several ministries and other government offices, embassies, shopping centres and two major English language newspapers. Pressure built up after a small parking lot that could take nearly 150 cars in that area was fenced off last month because of sewage work.

The main parking area adjoining that lot has also been partly chopped off to give way to simple tile work or renovation of parts of the pavement.

Another space just behind Hamdan street has also been totally cordoned off because of sewage work while a red plastic fence was erected behind the Novotel hotel in the middle of the parking area opposite Electra road to indicate fresh construction work is pending.

The result of such a construction mess is a parking and traffic mess. Drivers visiting that area have no choice but to park their cars on the road and risk getting a ticket.

Municipality officials said more parking lots are under construction in different parts of the city but argued that sewage and other construction work is unavoidable.

"We hear complaints from people about lack of parking space and a lot of construction work on the city's streets," an official said.