Opinion | Editorials
Bold thinking is needed to end the problem
The authorities should once and for all plan a suitable network of roads.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:54 June 22, 2008
The highway between Dubai and Sharjah, Al Ittihad Road, has always been fraught with problems. Regardless of what action is taken by the authorities in Sharjah and Dubai, the issue persists.
It can only be attributed to inadequate planning and a failure to take a bold step to resolve the matter. While it is true to say that progressively over the years measures have been taken to try and improve matters, often they are too little and too late.
Due to the closeness of Dubai to Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, people are attracted to live in those adjacent emirates, where generally the cost of renting a villa or apartment is cheaper.
And despite prices of property increasing in those emirates, the prices are still attractive in comparison to the high rents being charged in Dubai.
The popularity of the three nearby emirates means that each day there is a vast queue of traffic attempting to get to work in Dubai, where still most jobs are available, and return to their homes in Sharjah, Ajman or Umm Al Quwain in the evening. This is well demonstrated in our photo-feature article on pages 10 and 11 today.
Sadly, another reason behind the constant congestion on Al Ittihad Road is that each time any planning takes place, it appears they only take account of present needs and overlook future expansion of personnel, property and jobs in all the emirates.
The consequence of this influx will be more vehicles. This is why it is necessary for the authorities to take a bold initiative once and for all and plan a suitable network of roads that will take account of anticipated expansion 20 years or more away. Looking forward over a shorter time span only means a proper solution is merely deferred by that time.
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