Dubai: Constant traffic jams are driving Al Barsha commuters up the wall.
According to them, morning peak hours are only between 8 and 9am but the evening rush hours stretch from 3 to almost 8.30pm most days.
Tarek Al Mouseli who lives in the neighbourhood says it takes him half an hour every day just to get on to the Shaikh Zayed Road. “Of late, the traffic has become really bad. A U-turn on the road coming from Mall of the Emirates is blocked, forcing all the traffic towards Lulu Hypermarket.
Should this U-turn open, it will free the road considerably,” said the Arab expat.
Many feel a slew of restaurants which opened recently and two major shopping malls in Al Barsha are adding to the traffic woes. “This place is turning into another Karama and Bur Dubai. Every day hundreds of motorists drive through Al Barsha roads to evade Salik, causing huge tailbacks,” said Pooja, a regular commuter to Al Barsha.
Clog point
“Another major clog point in Al Barsha is the road in front of Bikanerwala restaurant where a number of other eateries have opened recently. On weekends this road is a mess as scores of cars snake through slow moving traffic,” she added.
Shaheen Abraham, an Al Barsha resident blamed traffic lights for the congestion “The signal near Lulu changes lights very quickly, often leaving vehicles stranded in the middle of the road. Authorities should do something about their timing. Lack of parking is another major concern. Unable to find parking, people double-park their cars, adding to the problem. They should be fined,” he said.
A restaurant delivery boy said he routinely gets late. “The traffic is a nightmare here.”
