Muscat: Oman has increased fines for illegal parking of vehicles up to 500 rials (Dh4,769) in a move to regulate public parking.
Uncaring drivers who occupy two parking lots will be fined 10 rials, according to a circular issued by Muscat Municipality. Motorists who park their vehicles in spaces reserved for disabled persons will be fined 20 rials instead of 10 ten rials earlier.
“Drivers who use parking lots reserved for ambulances will have to pay 100 rials and those who park their vehicles in public parking areas for sale or for advertisement will have to pay 500 rials,” said the circular.
Ambulance vehicles, police vehicles, municipality vehicles and Civil Defence vehicles are exempted from parking fees.
Ahmad Al Beloushi, a Mutrah resident, welcomed the move. He said he has faced difficulties in finding parking as some irresponsible motorists park their vehicles in more than one parking space.
“The penalty for parking in two spaces should be heftier to deter such motorists,” said Al Beloushi.
Meanwhile, many complain about the shortage of parking lots in public buildings in the capital and Mutrah souq, calling the municipality to find solutions instead of increasing fines.
Mohammad Al Ansari, a Bausher resident, said he has to park 200 metres away from his flat due to the lack of parking lots in the area. “it’s very irritating. The municipality has to force the building owners to make sufficient parking lots available for the tenants,” said Al Ansari.
