ABU DHABI: In a city known for its acute parking shortage, a multi-storey car park remains largely unused a week after its opening.
The new underground facility in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dana area, built at a cost of Dh120 million, can accommodate up to 726 vehicles with round-the-clock surveillance.
But a week after its inauguration by Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman of the Department of Transport (DoT), city motorists have yet to make the most of the new facility.
Unaware yet
“I don’t know whether it is operational or not. That is why I parked outside,” said Wael Abdul Aziz, a Dubai resident who visits Abu Dhabi twice a week for official purposes.
Indian Joseph Kalathil who lives in the area said there is an acute shortage of parking spaces and he is glad the new facility will ease the pressure.
“But I don’t know whether we are allowed to leave our cars overnight in the underground parking. I do not want to risk any fines,” said Kalathil.
A staff at the facility said there have not been many cars coming in so far. “I think people are not yet aware. It may take some time before all the slots get filled,” he said requesting not to be named.
The three-storey facility took three years to complete, and has the unique feature that can inform users of space availability in real time through a DoT smartphone application called Darb.
The car park also has charging stations for hybrid cars.
The parking bays also feature access for individuals with special needs, in addition to ladies’ only slots. Residents living in the area previously complained of the large number of vehicles of those visiting the various government and commercial buildings nearby which left no parking spaces for them.
The parking fees in the new facility will remain the same at Dh2 or Dh3 per hour for the turquoise and black pavements and white and black pavements.
