A new modern underground parking area was opened here yesterday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Ruler's Representative in the western region of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department.

The parking lot is aimed at easing congestion and providing motorists with easy access to shopping centres in the city.

The three-storey facility, located behind the Zakher Hotel on Bani Yas Street, has space for parking 437 vehicles.

"It is part of the municipality's drive to provide sufficient and modern car parking spaces in the city. It is also part of the beautification programme designed for the city," said Abdul Razeq Al Khaja, head of Real Estate and Leasing Section at the department.

The municipality, he said, is currently undertaking 17 multi-storey car parking projects in various areas within the city to meet the increasing demand for car parking facilities in the city.

"Users of the new facility will pay two dirhams for an hour parking, Dh15 for eight-hour parking, Dh350 for monthly parking rent and Dh3,500 for annual parking rent," he said, adding that the coming period would see many parking areas coming up in the capital.

Last year, three parking facilities were opened behind Liwa Centre (Hamdan Street), behind the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and at Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, to accommodate 393, 838 and 371 vehicles respectively.