Sharjah
On weekends, I always visit the Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah. This is a place frequently visited by many families, especially during the winter months. There are a lot of restaurants and several activities for adults and chilren. My family and I usually go for a walk in the evening as the waterfront has a great jogging track.
However, I would like to highlight an issue that I have been facing for a long while. I even raised the same in a community report that was published in Gulf News in January, 2014. The water sprinklers at the waterfront are directed towards the pathway and jogging track instead of the plants and grass in the area.
As a result of this, the track becomes wet and slippery and poses a threat to those who are jogging or running. There is a chance of them slipping on the puddles and getting badly hurt. Additionally, a lot of water is wasted in the process, as seen in the photograph.
It has been more than a year and the problem still persists, with not much being done by the concerned authorities to rectify the situation.
The area also smells of sewage and stagnant water that is extremely unpleasant for the visitors who come for picnics. I am not sure if this is caused due to the fertiliser or the water that is used for the plants, but the stench is unbearable. The park’s management should take note of this and ensure that the water does not seep onto the pathways and track and the latter is utilised in the best possible manner.
They should also refrain from watering the plants during the peak hours so that families and fitness enthusiasts will not be forced to return home. Also, the waterfront has to be cleaned regularly to keep the stench at a minimal.
— The reader is based in Sharjah.
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