Letters: November 7, 2009

Value what’s endangered
On the pretext of scientific research, Japan continues to slaughter whales for the consumption of its meat, while the world acts as a silent spectator ("Premier reveals dislike of whale meat," Gulf News, November 1). Meanwhile, China is farming tigers to satisfy its local and festive demand for tiger parts and provides reasons for the same. The magnificent animals are being controlled and farmed for our needs and pleasures. I would like to ask — is the variety of food available not enough for us, that we have to kill endangered animals too? Let’s unite and save the world.
From Mr Amrut Maria Das
Dubai

Win-win situation
I am rather lucky to be residing in a building that has underground parking facilities ("Abu Dhabi's paid parking suffers teething problems," Gulf News, November 2). Therefore, I do not require a parking permit unlike my fellow residents, who live along Hamdan Street.
However, I do agree with the reader who got fined due to confusion. Colour indicators are not as effective, unless they are highlighted better. The authorities could have devised better colour codes, such as lime green for standard and turquoise for premium users. Having said that, they could perhaps also build multistory car parks. Any new system should guarantee a win-win situation.
From Ms Marlena Nasser
Abu Dhabi
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Chaotic mornings
Due to paid parking facilities implemented along Hamdan Street, many vehicle owners have started parking in the Electra Street blocks, especially the area that has a hospital located in it. Due to this, our mornings have turned chaotic — school buses get stuck in traffic, drivers sound their vehicles’ horns and road rage is uncontrollable! Authorities should survey these areas and appoint personnel to monitor the situation.
From Mr Rashid
Abu Dhabi
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Best taken bitter
Ms Sabu Paul is absolutely right when she refers to my suggestion — to fix
billboards with images of vehicles damaged in accidents — as crude and distasteful ("A positive message," Gulf News, October 31). Ms Sabu, it is meant to be crude and distasteful and should be taken in the same light as printing pictures of cancerous growths on cigarette packs. Pictures are worth a thousand words. Desperate problems require desperate solutions, even if they might appear to be ‘crude and distasteful’.
We must learn not to sugarcoat pills that are best taken bitter.
From Dr A. K. Mathur
Abu Dhabi

Much easier now
This is an excellent move on part of the authorities and should have been implemented a long time ago, as has been done in Dubai. Of course, problems will arise initially. However, I am sure things will be sorted out in the future. I still remember the days when certain areas had free parking facilities — when we would get a chance to park for just a short while,
to pay a visit to the doctor or to go to the bank. We used to be late on our visit to the doctor, even if we arrived 20 or 30 minutes prior to the appointment. It is much easier now.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
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Slot before fine
Last week, I took my wife to a hospital located along Hamdan Street and parked my car in the illegal parking area in front of the hospital, as I
couldn’t find a legal parking slot. I had parked my car in the middle line
and had also placed a parking ticket on the car’s windshield. I reserved the
spot for one hour — from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. When I returned at 8.40pm, I noticed a ticket inspector taking note of my car’s details, after which he issued a Dh300 fine. I had been fined for parking illegally in the middle of two parking areas. I used to park in this manner even before the parking fee structure had been introduced, as it is very difficult to find a parking slot in the aforementioned area — one which is very densely populated. I request the authorities to provide parking slots before issuing parking fines.
From Mr Santhosh
Abu Dhabi
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Hoping for paid parking
I hope paid parking facilities will soon be introduced in my area of residence too, specifically in the Al Falah Market area, along Al Falah Street. This would force all heavy vehicles, trucks and minibuses to vacate the premises, thereby providing ample parking space for residents. I
am tired of spending a large amount of time looking for parking every day.
From Mr Emil Kazimli
Abu Dhabi
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No space for anyone else
My parking management programme Mawaqif) application was rejected, as no parking meters were installed, despite the fact that I am located in the
designated scheme area along Khalifa Street. This may be due to the fact that a prominent rent-a-car establishment is housed at the end of the street with 300 parking spaces occupied by them. This leaves no space for anyone else.
From Mr Mustafa Huned
Abu Dhabi
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