Dubai
The residents of the housing colony in Dubai’s Al Karama area, have been facing parking issues within the private parking lot. The colony consists of 17 buidlings, a garden and two parking lots. There are about 110 parking spaces and 153 apartments. However, the parking lots are full of trucks and commercial vehicles throughout the day and night.
When the tenants get back in the evenings, there are fights over one parking space that is miraculously found. The only option is then to double park the cars. Sometimes, the entrance to the parking lots are blocked by at least three cars. In fact, it is the only access point that is used for both entry and exit.
There are clear signs that state that the parking spots are for residents only and warn motorists against blocking the driveway and better still, there are cameras installed in the lot, too, but nothing helps. Everybody has sort of taken it for granted.
The security seems to have turned a blind eye to the issue and they sometimes even get threatened by the owners of the illegally parked cars. There are several commercial stores around us and people working there or visiting the shops also park their vehicles inside the colony, which supposedly is for residents only. A few days ago, a woman, who was clearly not a resident, parked her vehicle in the colony and when I questioned her she informed me that the “whole of Karama parks here for free”.
I had taken up the matter with the real estate agent, but they say they cannot do much as some buildings belong to the owners directly. Additionally, from what I understand, as per the rules, trucks are not allowed in residential areas. However, you see trucks being parked and loading and unloading being done, which causes traffic congestion. I have on many occasions questioned trespassers, but what happens is that both my car and I become a target. My car tyres have been punctured and car scratched on several occasions.
The walkway is being used for furniture assembly and you dare not say anything to them. In the garden, you will find people smoking and sometimes couples are spotted behaving in an inappropriate manner.
My concern is not that we are not getting parking or that there are not enough parking spaces, but why are outsiders and commercial vehicles being parked in our private residential colony? As a woman it is very humiliating for me to fight alone in this so-called man’s world. This is causing a lot of mental stress. I hope the concerned authorities will take note of this and help me resolve this issue.
— The reader is based in Dubai.
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