Ras Al Khaimah - The car wash stations were flouting environment rules.
Published: Fri 29 Jan 2016, 11:00 PM
Updated: Sun 31 Jan 2016, 7:24 AM
The Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah has ordered the closure of two car wash stations for three weeks for flouting environment rules.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, Director of the Environment Protection and Development Authority, said the two car cleaning stations failed to thoroughly cover all the premises.
"They have also been nabbed while cleaning vehicles outside the premises of the stations; a violation which has been stringently warned against in the recently enacted rules that streamline the activities of the car wash stations," he said.
Each and every car cleaning station needs to be at least 200sqm in area as per the new regulations, he pointed out.
"The two stations have been given a grace period of three months to completely amend their positions in line with the new environment standards and conditions; otherwise they face permanent closure," he added.
The Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah has been alerted about the violations of the two car wash stations to take whatever legal action it deems fit, he added.
"A final ultimatum has been issued against the managers of the two stations that they shall face hefty fines and permanent closure in case of repeating the same violations in the future."
A joint committee from the Environment Protection and Development Authority and the Department of Economic Development has been given the responsibility of licences.
"As such, no institution shall be given licence by the department of economic development unless initially issued an environment licence from the authority to ensure compliance with set rules. All car cleaning stations shall not have their licences renewed again unless they meet the recently enforced terms and standards."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com