SHARJAH CLOSES 25 VACANT LOTS IN ILLEGAL PARKING CRACKDOWN
sharjah — In a massive drive, the Sharjah Municipality has cordoned off over 25 vacant lots and open sandy areas that motorists had been using as illegal parking spaces.
Ali Ahmed Abu Ghazin, director of the public parking department at Sharjah City Municipality, said the civic body had organised the campaign to ban parking in all sandy areas since the beginning of this year.
Some motorists even leave their vehicles in these areas for long periods of time, he pointed out.
The municipality decided to close these ‘ kaccha’ lots after it was confirmed that there were enough paid public and private parking zones in neighbourhoods. Abu Ghazin said more than 25 such areas have been closed in different parts of Sharjah city.
He added that the municipality distributed awareness leaflets for three days, informing the motorists that they must move their parked cars out of these lots prior to the closure.
Irresponsible practices
Haphazard parking was one of the common problems in these empty lots. Cars used to be parked randomly, invariably blocking the way of each other.
Those trying to move their vehicles would call the police, who end
up wasting their time to address the problem, the authorities said.
There had also been instances when improper parking had damaged some vehicles, as little space was left between cars.
These lots lacked appropriate entry or exit points, too, which often made it difficult for one to get out of the muddle.
Dumping ground
Besides illegal parking, some residents dump their garbage and unwanted furniture in these areas.
With the lots now cordoned off, the municipality has urged people to park their vehicles at licenced and approved parking areas.