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Dubai: Anxious residents of Rashid Colony in Al Qusais who were faced with eviction on Monday said that they had received a short reprieve in the form of an extended deadline of two months.
Video: Rashid Colony residents get reprieve
The June 30 deadline for eviction of tenants in block numbers four to eight as per a notice served by the Dubai Development Board office earlier this year, has been revised to August 28.
A second notice had required the residents to settle water and electricity bills and hand over keys to the board by June 28.
The tenants said they heaved a sigh of relief when they heard that the authorities had decided to give them until the end of August.
According to them, when they approached the department last week, they were told that they could take time to relocate till August 28.
But the Development Board (Wasl) could not confirm the residents' claim of the new deadline.
Unlikely
Residents told Gulf News that although they were relived about the new deadline, it was unlikely that they would be able to find alternative accommodation by August.
"I have five children and we have been living here for years. I have no intention of moving out unless the authorities provide us with another facility," said Eisa Ahmad of block number five.
Another resident, Abdul Salam from India, said his family would have to go back to India if the authorities went ahead with their eviction plans.
"We checked the market, and even a studio flat costs four times our current rent," said the BBA student.
Rent for studio and one-bedroom apartments in the colony ranges from Dh5,000 to Dh12,000 a year whereas similar accommodation elsewhere would range from anything above Dh50,000 a year as per the market rate.
Shahnaz, who has two children, said he has already sent his family to India for good as he cannot find an affordable place to live.
"It was a difficult decision to send them back. But there is no other option because rents are so high," said Shahnaz.
Shamnaz Nasirudeen, who runs an electrical shop in one of the buildings that is to be demolished, said he will have to wind up his business if evicted from the shop.
Not viable
"My father has been running this shop for the last 30 years. Today, if we have to take a shop like this, we will have to shell out a minimum of Dh120,000 whereas our current rent is Dh30,000 [a year] for both our shops in the colony," said Nasirudeen.
One of the oldest residential units in Dubai, Rashid Colony has been earmarked for demolition by authorities because of the dilapidated condition of the buildings and the lack of hygiene, which is deemed to be a health hazard for its residents.
The first phase of evacuation was carried out last year from block number one to three. The second phase is targeted at block numbers four to eight.
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