Dubai: Property developer Nakheel on Wednesday decided to temporarily cover the “No Parking for Commercial Vehicles” signboards at International City to prevent further issuance of parking fines to commercial property owners who have racked up thousands of dirhams in parking fines over the last two weeks.
The unusual move stemmed from a special meeting between the property owners and businessmen operating in International City with Dubai Traffic Police on Wednesday over the residents’ frustration at the Dh200 daily parking fines they receive.
Heavy commercial vehicles have been banned from parking in International City since 2010. Signboards prohibiting commercial vehicles — with images of five-tonne and two-tonne vehicles — were installed in the area in 2010 for that purpose.
But shop owners and residents operating businesses in the area said their light commercial vehicles, too, have been getting fines since August 12.
Property owners first raised the issue of “unjust parking fines” with Gulf News on Sunday, saying parking spaces are a basic facility that should be provided by the developer.
Dr Sanjay Paithankar, who owns two clinics, an office, and a number of flats in International City, said he has been fined 12 times for his Hi-Ace van and his saloon car registered under his clinic.
“This is ridiculous that no commercial vehicles will be allowed here. So how I can I do business here? My office has two cars. Where will I park my cars? In my house?” Dr Paithankar told Gulf News.
“My patients are labourers coming in their company vehicles. Now they are not willing to come any more because they will be fined Dh200. I am losing business and still I have to pay fines,” Dr Paithankar said.
When contacted by Gulf News, a spokesperson from Nakheel said: “Regulation of car park use in communities is common across all communities in Dubai, with commercial vehicles usually prohibited because car parking is provided primarily for residents’ use.”
“In the case of International City, we have taken immediate action to rectify the situation. We continue to liaise with the police and explore new ways of overcoming the challenge of commercial vehicles at International City, and will update residents accordingly.”
International City was marketed as a country-themed, mixed-use commercial, residential, retail and tourism development. It was finished in 2008 and has been home to many middle-class families and small and medium enterprises.
After hearing the news, A.M., who operates two bakeries, lauded Nakheel and Dubai Traffic Police for the immediate action. “Everybody is happy. That was what we expected from the Dubai government. They respected us and responded to us quickly.”
“As investors, we need them to help us and not just throw the rule at us. They have to put rules with a solution, with an alternative and with a notice period.”
Emad, who has a shop in the England cluster, said the nature of his business is to provide services to the whole of International City. Moving out of the city is not an option.
“We make deliveries to supermarkets in International City. All these commercial shops, offices, supermarkets, laundries, bakeries serve the City. If we all go out, who will offer these services? And who will live here?” Emad said.
