Hello sir, why don't we have cricket pitches in parks?

DUBAI - Is a new park coming up in this locality? Why not cricket pitches in the public parks? Will there be a washroom facility in this park that doesn't have it right now?

By Joy Sengupta

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Published: Thu 14 Aug 2008, 1:28 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 5:03 PM

These are among a host of queries received by officials during the first session of 'Managers on Air' initiative launched by Dubai Municipality (DM) on Tuesday.

Ahmad Abdul Karim, the Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department at DM, received more than 20 calls in two hours from people of various nationalities who called up the toll free number 8004999, giving suggestions, seeking queries, and also firing complaints.

Karim and his team gave a patient hearing to all the callers, carefully jotting down the points they raised and assuring them of immediate action.

The 'Managers on Air' initiative strives for better coordination and cooperation between different departments and the general public. Under this, people can call up the toll free number on dedicated dates and speak to a senior DM official of a particular department about issues related to the department. DM announces the date as well as the official to be available on the day, in advance through advertisements.

'This initiative will have positive impact on our upcoming projects. The suggestions offered by residents have given us an idea about the kind of services people want in the parks. Moreover, through this, we get in direct touch with the people,' Karim said.

'People wanted to know about the new areas where parks are coming up. They want to know about our landscaping projects. There was a call from a woman living in Umm Suqueim who suggested we have gymnasiums and swimming pools in community parks. We told her such a plan was already there and would be implemented soon.'

The next 'Managers on Air' is slated on August 27 with Khalid Mohammed Sharif, the Director of Food Control Department and his team of officials who'll attend the calls. The time to make the calls is between 10am and 12noon.

joy@khaleejtimes.com


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