Dubai: I have been living in International City in Dubai for the past seven years. It is a good area as it serves as a central point for things like the airport, the old downtown in Deira and industrial areas like Jebel Ali and Al Quoz.
In the past few years, many bachelors have moved into the area and due to this reason, there are many commercial vehicles parked in the residential parking spots.
I work different shifts and often reach home at 10pm. The authorities have placed several signs stating that commercial vehicles cannot be parked in the vicinity. However, several of them are still parked there, mainly in the Greece and Persia clusters. Due to this reason, to find a parking spot in our area after 7pm has become so difficult. Even if you search for an hour or two, you don’t end up finding a spot and then we are forced to park our cars in prohibited areas.
When we asked the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) inspector doing the rounds, he informed us that the fines are issued to only those cars that are in some way obstructing traffic. He said he was aware of the parking issues in the area and no fines would be issued for parking in open or sandy lots. But, regardless of that, fines were issued to even those people who parked in the sandy lots.
I have received more than three fines in the past three months. Similarly, our neighbours have also received many parking violations. We accept that violating the traffic rules is an offence. Fines are issued to control traffic violations. But, we are left with no other option than to park in prohibited areas or else we would have to spend the night in our car, searching for a spot.
We have even contacted the developers, but they are helpless, too. They need to strictly restrict the parking of commercial vehicles in International City.
— The reader is based in Dubai.
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The reader’s complaint was raised with the management of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
RTA stated: “We would like to thank our customer for his feedback and we would also like to mention that the International City area doesn’t fall under RTA jurisdiction, so this complaint should be directed to Nakheel’s concerned department. Furthermore, we would like to inform that the RTA is always willing to cooperate with any party in order to increase customers’ satisfaction and happiness.”
We then contacted the management of Nakheel for a comment, and they stated: “Illegal parking is a challenge facing all communities in Dubai, and we continue to take action to rectify the situation at International City. The parking of trucks in International City is prohibited, with warning signs in place.
“In addition, Dubai Police issues fines to vehicles parked illegally at the community. We continue to liaise with the police and explore new ways of overcoming these challenges and will update residents accordingly.”
