Opinion | Letters
May 25, 2008
Letters to the Editor - May 25, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:11 May 25, 2008
Dreaming about traffic jams
Every morning I wake up worrying about possible traffic congestion at the National Paints roundabout in Sharjah.
Believe it or not but there are times when I have dreamt about a traffic signal in the aforesaid area.
A simple test to understand the enormity of the problem would be for the authorities to check and compare the difference in traffic at the National Paints roundabout in Sharjah and the Fish Roundabout in Deira.
The latter helps thousands of commuters by providing easy access to work as well as home, and helps them save plenty of time as well.
From Mr Shabanur Rafi Saahni
Dubai
All are born innocent
When something cannot be defined, it should be categorised ("Delhi and Islamabad try to revive dialogue", Gulf News, May 20).
One can deduce that each act of terrorism has its own agenda. As of now the yardstick for solving the problem of terrorism seems to be a prototype approach, which neither eliminates nor solves the problem, be it on a national or international level.
A scientific approach needs to be taken to do away with terrorist acts. We are all born innocent and it's specific situations that force people to turn to inhuman activities.
Without finding the core reason, no solution can be found.
From Mr Mohammad Abdul Aleem
Hyderabad, India
Pleasant surprise
A few days ago, I had called Gulf News to register a complaint against etisalat. The lady who answered my call was extremely patient and volunteered to help resolve the issue. And it has been.
My ADSL connection is working perfectly fine now. It was a pleasant surprise to see all my problems, pending for months on end, being resolved within a matter of minutes.
I thank Gulf News and the etisalat support team for their joint efforts and a great job.
From Mr Sathish Kumar
UAE
No dog parks
I think there is a desperate need for a couple of dog parks in the city, as there is not a single park that is open for dog walking.
In fact there are no designated dog walking areas at all! The Jebel Ali open beach is the only beach open to pets!
I urge the authorities to look into this issue urgently and provide a dog park or designated areas.
From Mr Swapnil Dongre
Dubai
Accepting roadblocks
Often one can see barricades and safety cones on the roads with messages that thank motorists for their cooperation.
The issue of cooperation arises only if two parties are mutually involved. Is the public asked whether or not it is OK to block a few lanes on a highway for months?
It helps that we accept the situation and move on with it. But it gets stressful when done on a regular basis.
Each day, most of us are involuntarily delayed due to meaningless roadblocks and can do nothing about it.
From Mr Nasser Usmani
Dubai
Bad idea
It is not possible to implement Ms Ameena Bintory's suggestion as mentioned in her letter ("Late to school", Gulf News, May 20).
Traffic chaos in the UAE is not a new problem and is faced by anyone who has lived here long enough.
Constructing new roads that would be exclusively for school buses will not work.
If this were the case, the authorities would have to construct new roads that are specifically designated for different sectors such as hospitals, fire and rescue departments and more.
It would be better if pupils like Ameena enrol in schools located in Sharjah, or move to Dubai.
Though the solution is good, it cannot just focus on one particular institution or organisation.
From Ms Shemeem K.
Dubai
Water solutions
The main traffic starts from Sharjah and Ajman going towards Dubai and Jebel Ali and back.
If the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) can set up a water transport facility on the seaside connecting Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai and Jebel Ali, a major share of people would be able to use the facility.
This will reduce congestion.
From Mr Sasi Pillai
UAE
Different reasons
I work in a retail outlet that has 30 staff members in one branch ("Create awareness on car pooling," Gulf News, May 21). Sometimes I drop off my colleagues after work.
But every day is a different day. And certain people work in different shifts.
The RTA asks for drivers to register the car with the names of the four people they would be travelling with.
This would be applicable for people who work in an office but not for retail staff. Instead the RTA could allow people working for the same company to travel with each other - be it four or 30.
From Mr Mohammad Viqar Sharif
Dubai
Spare space
People are adjusting to the noise and pollution caused by the never-ending construction.
However, do the authorities maintain any criteria when constructing a building close to another? Do they spare space for pavements and children's play areas?
The new buildings in Sharjah are nothing short of suffocating. There are no pedestrian crossings at many places.
Some people try to cross roads even when the signal is on, especially near major shopping malls.
From Mr Biju Alumkan
Sharjah
Learn to teach
In December last year Gulf News had carried a report wherein the driving instructors were complaining that the tests were "too hard" and was an affront to their "professionalism".
A short while ago, in a 4km stretch of road, I passed four learners, waiting in the middle lane, slower than the surrounding traffic and consequently being passed on all sides by other drivers.
And the "instructors" wonder why they are only achieving a 10 per cent pass rate! Perhaps the instructors should be taught to drive first?
From Mr Adam Adshead
Dubai
Just 12 seats
Now that summer is here, could the authorities please increase the frequency of public buses? Increasing the number of seats for women would be highly appreciated, too.
With over half a million female workers in the city, there are just 12 seats available, each time, on a public bus.
After these seats are occupied, the bus does not take in any more women at subsequent stops.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Your turn
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Syrian crisis and rumblings of a cold war
By Patrick Seale, Special to Gulf News
With their vetoes, Russia and China are saying they too have interests in the Middle East, which they are bent on protecting
-
Motives for a new regional alignment
By Marwan Kabalan, Special to Gulf News
The relationship between Iraq and Syria strengthened following the breakout of the uprising and withdrawal of US troops
-
Learning Arabic must not be seen as a compulsion
By Rabia Alavi, Special to Gulf News
Expatriates must see its inclusion in school curriculum as an invitation to integrate into Emirati society and an opportunity to access markets presently reserved for Emiratis
