Dubai: Many residents in some parts of Dubai are getting frustrated because of continuous construction work on new buildings and Dubai Metro sites.
A resident on Al Rigga Street in Dubai said: "The construction work on Dubai Metro projects continues round-the-clock. There is no let-up despite the fact that we complained to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality."
He called up Dubai Municipality's complaint number and was told they had nothing to do with it because the Metro project belongs to the RTA.
"There are schoolchildren, sick people, old people, and people who have to go to offices. All of us are suffering on this street. We know the Metro project is very important but please give us relief at least between 11pm to 6am to get some sleep," he said.
Jameela Qureshi, a resident in Karama, said construction work is being carried out throughout the night and she can hear the noise even if her windows are closed.
"We are 'tortured' every night by the construction work on the Metro project and the nearby under construction buildings."
An official at Dubai Municipality said the civic body had set rules for night construction work. Fawzi Mohammad Al Shehi, Head of the Engineering Supervision Section at the Buildings Department told Gulf News that normal construction activities are allowed between 6am to 8pm.
"Construction permission is given for extended hours at night under special circumstances but even then construction companies are asked to keep the noise level very low," said Al Shehi.
An RTA official said the Dubai Metro Agency at the RTA has already instructed its contractors and sub-contractors to keep the noise level down.
According to the official, the RTA is conducing an audit of Dubai Metro construction activities.
Hotline
Al Shehi asked residents to call the Dubai municipality number 04-2232323 or 800900 to complain.
"We investigate every complaint and send our inspectors to the site in question," he said. In case of any complaints regarding the Dubai Metro construction sites, residents can call the RTA's Call Centre on 8009090.
Have your say
Where do you stay? Is construction work taking place at night near your residence? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
I advise all residents to put ear-plugs in while sleeping. We cannot halt the progress of a nation just for a good night's sleep!
Jameel
Dubai,UAE
Please, to the concerned people of the Dubai Metro construction, we're begging you to at least be fair enough to those who want to sleep at night. We are pressured the whole day and plus we can't slept at night because of this construction. Please continue your implementation to work with limits.
Carol
Dubai,UAE
I stay in the Casbah Canal area where there is a lot of construction work going on. We have buildings mushrooming left, right and centre and the noise is deafening. As for parking, it is practically impossible to get parking and every time you come back from the office your road is blocked by these construction vehicles. There is no peace even at night with the generators on, and as for Friday morning you are woken up as early as 6.30am with noise from these sites. Because of poor hygiene on these sites, food is eaten and discarded by the labourers, leading to food mites and mosquitoes, which was unheard of in this part of the world. We need peace and value for the amount of rent that we are paying. I request the concerned authority to please look into this matter seriously.
Rubina
Sharjah,UAE
Construction work during the night is also being carried out in Sharjah. This is particularly seen and heard on Buhairah Corniche. The noise is so loud when they pump concrete that we can't sleep. The concerned authorities should look into this matter.
Saad
Sharjah,UAE
Day and night we are tortured by heavy noise. Now the interior of our flat is totally dark, because there is no sunlight entering it. If I stretch my hand out I can reach the next building. Besides the noise, there is too much waste being dumped in our locality. We are tortured so badly that we literally pray for the completion of the buildings. Parking is also a big hassle in these areas and it seems every open space where we used to park our car has become a construction site. Paying so much rent, we still don't get value for the money.
Shehnaz
Sharjah,UAE
People who make this noise are working on nightshifts and they sleep very well during the day time at their homes and camps and get their salary. Disturbing people while sleeping is a crime.
Saqeer
Dubai,UAE
We expats have started to expect a lot from this city , and don't consider what it is already offering us - many world class facilities not available in our native countries.
Milan
Dubai,UAE
I am sure the RTA understands the frustration of people living close to these construction sites. But aren't these the same people complaining about the traffic situation and saying that public transport needs to be improved? I have two buildings coming up next to where I live and the noise and dust are irritating. But there isn't much anyone can do other than be a little patient and try to adjust accordingly. There is no way the RTA can lessen the construction of the lines. So let's all wait it out today for a better tomorrow.
Karthik
Dubai,UAE
Must appreciate that all construction work will stop by eight pm so that we can sleep with peace of mind.
Hassan
Dubai,UAE
I stay in a residential area in Ghusais where the construction work goes on throughout the night. The generators are kept running which creates a lot of noise which is quite disturbing. A time limit should be implemented.
Ranjeet
Dubai,UAE
We are suffering from the noise of a generator which they have put for dewatering the land on Rolla Road, Bur Dubai. It has been running 24 hours since last year.
Subhash
Dubai,UAE
I have complained many times to the Municipality about a project behind my building and I can still hear the construction work going on throughout the night. Severe action has to be taken against violators.
Samer
Dubai,UAE
Don't bother with those telephone numbers, just complain directly to the site manager. They'll stop work immediately if you shout loud enough. If everyone does this every night the construction company will get the message. Some quiet time on Friday's would be appreciated too!
S. C.
Dubai,UAE
Today we are smoothly using the many facilities like roads and bridges which were difficulties for the residents of yesterday. Considering the growth aspect, everyone has to compromise a little. Today's difficulties are tomorrow's happiness; it is like pain before birth. We will enjoy the outcome.
Rajaram
Dubai,UAE
I really appreciate the implementation of new rules to stop RTA work after eight pm. Thanks for the RTA department on behalf of all residents.
Subramaniyan
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
I've complained numerous times to the Al Rigga site of the metro, as they constantly breach their own regulations, which were wrong in the first place. At present, the metro staff does what they like. What are residents supposed to do?
Simon
Dubai,UAE
If it is not the construction, it is the traffic, if it is not the traffic, it's other residents playing loud music, if it is not the load music, it's kids playing out late at night on their motorbikes. Do people have no respect for others? Our lives are stressful as it is...can we at least get a good night's sleep?
Zainab
Sharjah,UAE
It's nothing. There is no sort of torture going on. If the RTA does not complete the work on time residents will complain. When the work is going on at high speed, they don't want it to continue!
Ahmed
Dubai,UAE
Due to round-the-clock construction work, we are suffering. A time limit for this work is necessary. Any development that hurts people's health is not good.
Raveendran
Dubai,UAE
I stay in a residential area where there are two to three carpentry shops which are open during the afternoon and also the whole night creating disturbance especially during the night. Moreover, they work outside the shop which produces more noise.
S. C. Mohan
Dubai,UAE
