Traffic nightmare in Al Nahda

Sharjah

The daily traffic bottleneck at the main exit of the Al Nahda 1 area, in Dubai, is a nuisance. The common sight of vehicles queuing up, plagues residents beyond endurance.

It happens every day during the morning rush hour and has soared to a new level in the past few days. The problem is woven into the fabric of the lives of the people living in the area. The enormous traffic gridlock seems to have eroded the purpose of the newly built roundabout (as seen in photographs). What sends a sharp spasm of agony amongst commuters is the lack of sensitivity in the people who use the other exit, placed at a farther distance.

A few days ago, I was appalled to see scores of frustrated commuters storming out of the public buses amidst traffic congestion after nearly being stuck for an hour. It caused great inconvenience. The disparity in the existing one-lane network and the gridlock seems to widen with each passing day. The problem has gained momentum largely due to school buses. The lack of a lay-by lane prompts school buses to stop midway, to pick up students, which blocks the traffic flow.

Additionally, the problem is compounded by Sharjah residents who park their cars nearby overnight and walk home and then commute by and large via this route during the day time.

Somehow, civic sense seems to have faded in people these days. Concerned authorities should consider implementing overnight parking restrictions on these cars, owned by Sharjah residents.

Another issue that I wanted to raise is the fact that the roads in the area are unlit in the night time, thereby posing a serious hazard to road users, especially pedestrians and mothers wheeling their toddlers in prams. The lack of a pavement forces them to step down onto the narrow lanes, thereby increasing their chances of being involved in an accident.

I acknowledge that construction of roads are underway in this area and that is why the situation is so bad, but until the roads are fully completed, the concerned authorities should consider installing temporary traffic signals, providing speed bumps to keep a tab on speedsters, building temporary pavements for the pedestrians to walk on, and a proper lay-by lane to ease pick-and-drop by the school buses. I hope this report mobilises concerted efforts on part of those concerned.

— The reader is a student based in Dubai.

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