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Dubai: Residents of Jumeirah and Al Wasl have voiced concerns about road safety once traffic flows through their area after the implementation of the toll system.
Motorists will be charged Dh4 each time they cross the toll gates on Garhoud Bridge and near Mall of the Emirates on Shaikh Zayed Road, prompting motorists to take alternative routes.
Toll gates [Salik] are scheduled to be operational from July 1.
Ahmad Al Rais, an Emirati student living in Al Wasl Road, said safety of Al Wasl and Jumeirah roads will deteriorate once the toll is introduced.
“Al Wasl and Jumeirah roads are simply not equipped to handle more traffic and cannot serve as highways.
They do not have hard shoulders, similar to those on Shaikh Zayed Road. Can you imagine what the situation will be in case of an accident,” he said.
Residents are also worried about their children’s safety since many motorists will be taking inner roads of Al Wasl and Jumeirah to beat the traffic, he added.
Eshaq Al Beloushi, an Emirati who lives in Jumeirah, said the roads of Al Wasl and Jumeirah are already overcrowded.
“The situation of the roads will be dreadful once more people start using Jumeirah road to escape the toll. Accidents are more common when roads are congested. The question is how police or ambulance will get through if needed?” he asked.
“I hope they postpone introducing the toll system until alternative roads are created.”
Sami Rezai, a French student living near Shaikh Zayed Road, said Salik is a means to collect money rather than reduce traffic congestion.
“It will be a solution for few who can afford to pay the charges, but for the rest of us this decision will mean another two hours to our commuting time,” he said.
The toll system will only get rid of congestion near Garhoud Bridge and the Mall of the Emirates, he added.
Joe Boutros, a Lebanese cabin crew, said Salik will result in extra cost and overcrowding of already congested roads.
Your comments
It is extremely bad for the middle-class people as the high rents and the school fees have made the life miserable. Tolls should only come into effect when we have the metro/ trams and buses running on time, I mean properly maintained transportation scheme. I do not think it is right as the people are already paying more than 50% of their salary as rent. Only the richer are getting richer and the middle-class people are getting poorer day by day. I strongly feel that landlord should reduce the rents of all the buildings and villa at least by 15%.
Usha
Mumbai,India
It's just not right to implement the "salik" now as Dubai is still not equipped with alternate solutions. We should wait for the Metro project's completion and then start a new scheme.
Vinod
Dubai,UAE
This implementation of toll system may not be correct at this time, as there is lot of bottle neck inside the city. Until we clear them even on paying the toll we need to wait at the neck of the city.
More over the toll is being collected on all 365day and 24 hours. If the concept is only to reduce the traffic the toll fee should vary (during peak hours more and non-peak hours less) and also there should not be any toll on festival and public holidays like in Singapore.
Naga
Dubai,UAE
Salik doesn't live up to its name meaning 'clear'. Jumeirah road will be blocked because of traffic affecting homes and business. Without toll being implemented Jumeirah road is often congested. Image when it becomes one of the alternatives.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Introduction of Salik will be having a major affect of real estate business as it will directly hit the office rentals trend on Shaikh Zayed Road. Also a major decrease to Dubai airport commuters from Jebel Ali. Now they will prefer to commute using Abu Dhabi Airport instead. Good thing will be rentals on Shaikh Zayed Road coming down. No need of people residing and at the same time having offices in Jebel Ali to visit Dubai, they can prefer Abu Dhabi instead.
Kasim
Dubai,UAE
I agree, the traffic will be more on the Al Wasl road.
Chetan
Dubai,UAE
Salik is just a way to collect money from residents to remove cost of all constructions being done on Garhoud bridge. It's unfair what UAE govt. is doing by increasing inflation in the country. Hope some solution is made for this at the earliest.
Nazia
Dubai,UAE
Salik is a project of collecting money I can't see any other reason for having this system because the Chief of traffic department have said that it will make the traffic worse. He has more than 20 years experience. I believe that the Dubai government should think twice, this project could effect business. Salik is an idea that will do bad more than good.
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Those roads with salik toll should be allowed for passengers vehicle only and trucks and vans and heavy vehicles should not be allowed to use those roads.
Bo
Dubai,UAE
I hope they postpone introducing the toll system until alternative roads are created.
Abu
Dubai,UAE
Salik will only add to the existing stress. Salik can be a stress buster - but at a price. Unless the other feeder/alternative roads are ready, it will only add to the stress of commuting - additional hours and loss of productivity in all aspects.
Joseph
Dubai,UAE
The road system in Dubai is not equipped to handle tolls of any sort. There are simply no alternative roads to handle the spillover effects of the toll along SZR. Schools, businesses, and residents along alternative roads will be heavily taxed in terms of dealing with extra traffic congestions and accidents.
Denar
Sharjah,UAE
The general feeling is that this will worsen the overall traffic situation and is intended to make some money for RTA.
Raj
Dubai,UAE
Salik means free flow of traffic... therefore toll should only be charged once traffic moves faster then 60Km/Hr
Nasar
Dubai,UAE
The only solution is to install toll gates all over Dubai. By installing two toll gates, it will not solve the traffic problem. And yeah, they should provide cheap public transport.
Jafar
Dubai,UAE
Salik is a means of earning more money. If it?s reducing congestion on Shaikh Zayed Road then its causing congestion in other unsafe and populated areas. So what?s the point of having a toll system to cause more congestion and lesser safety elsewhere?
Tanya
Dubai,UAE
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