Metro holds hope for traffic-weary citizens

DUBAI — With Salik failing to help ease the traffic situation in Dubai, the denizens of Dubai are now looking forward to Dubai Metro to deliver some relief.

By Joy Sengupta

Published: Sat 14 Jul 2007, 8:36 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 3:08 AM

The first train of Dubai Metro is expected to run in September 2009 with the Red Line getting activated. The Green Line would go on stream by March 2010.

Residents of Dubai feel that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should concentrate on constructing more roads and flyovers.

As Sheetal Kumar, a bank employee, said, “Places like Deira and Bur Dubai have become difficult places to drive in. Salik has simply increased the cost of living, nothing else. The system of toll tax should be introduced in the border areas for vehicles which are entering the emirate. The last breather has to be the Dubai Metro now,” she said.

Ravish Rajendran, also a bank employee said: “Salik toll system should have been introduced after completion of ongoing road projects. Moving on routes like Maktoum Bridge, Emirates Road, Jumeirah Road etc have become difficult. So how can they say that the traffic situation has improved after Salik? The Dubai Metro could be a saving factor now.”

Residents repeated that the RTA should have completed some of its other projects before launching Salik. “They should have completed some of their projects. There should be at least more than five alternatives for a single route. The construction of flyovers can solve the problems. But we hope that the Dubai Metro would be solving the problems. We are actually waiting for it to start,” added Nadira Gazi, another commuter.

Officials of RTA, however, pointed out that most of their projects were on schedule and Salik had proven to be of help for the commuters.

“The Floating Bridge will open next week which would be helpful in easing the traffic problem. Also the ongoing projects include the turning of the Emirates Road into 6 lanes. There are some road projects in progress in Jumeirah.

The completed projects include the Ras Al Khor Intersection, enhancements over Oud Metha and Al Riyadh Intersection, enhancement of the Al Rasheed Street Intersection and Nad Al Hamr Roads. Also there are several flyovers coming up. All these projects are going on in full swing and will be completed on time,” said an RTA representative.