Taylor Scott International News
More vroom for used car dealers in Sharjah Afkar Abdullah / 6 September 2013 The Directorate of Public Works (DPW) has completed 53 per cent of the infrastructure works of Al Roq’ah Al Hamra used-cars market project. The whole project is expected to be completed by next year. Shaikh Khaled bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Member of the Sharjah Executive Council, Chairman of DPW, emphasised that the works are going on steadily according to the approved timeline. Artist’s impression of the new market coming up at Al Roq’ah Al Hamra, between Sharjah and Ajman. — Supplied photo He said: “The vision of His Highness Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, aims at providing the best services for locals and expatriates. The current used-car showrooms in the Abu Shagara area, which causes traffic congestion and discomfort for the residents of the area, will soon be shifted to Al Roq’ah Al Hamra area located between Sharjah and Ajman. The new location is strategically located close to the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sharjah-Al Dhaid road and the Tasjeel Auto Village. “The internal design of the project was implemented after a thorough visibility study to consider the requirements of the current showroom owners,” said Shaikh Khaled. “The new location will provide suitable spaces for showrooms and other facilities according to the highest standards.” The project covers a total area of 420,000sqm, four times that of the current market in Abu Shagara. The project consists of used-car showrooms, auction area, computerised testing area, auto-wash workshops as well as other auto car facilities. “Road projects that connect the market to the main roads have been designed to accommodate future traffic increase. These roads provide three entrances to the market location — the first leads to Sharjah-Al Dhaid road, the second leads to Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, while the third entrance lies adjacent and leads to the Sharjah Shooting Club. The total cost of the project is Dh268 million, with Dh168 million being used for infrastructure works and the remaining Dh100 million for civil works. The project which began at the end of 2012 is expected to be completed by the first half of next year,” Shaikh Khaled added. Infrastructure works of the project will provide all facilities of high standards including a 6.5km internal road and 15,000 car parks, in addition to external and internal car parks with various spaces for car showrooms. The internal roads of the project will provide drainage network system, as well as a firefighting system. Shaikh Khaled added that rainwater and drainage networks will be competed in the next couple of months. He stressed that the DPW is keen on implementing the project according to the approved timeline and in a way that satisfies end-users, without any disturbance to the residents living near the project. DPW welcomes any suggestions or complaints via any of DPW’s contact channels, he added. Shaikh Khaled said that Al Roq’ah Al Hamra has already begun attracting several large auto car traders as they are assured of the benefits of modern infrastructure and facilities they will get in the new market. The project will add value to Sharjah’s prestigious position as the second biggest car market in the Middle East, he said. “The new used cars market in Al Roq’ah Al Hamra is aimed at solving the problems faced by the residents of Abu Shagara who have lodged several complaints on the traffic and parking woes they face daily,” he said. Residents of Abu Shagara have often expressed their dissatisfaction at the existing used car market. “The area is not good for living. Already, a large number of people have moved to other areas. It’s now very polluted, noisy, crowded and unsafe for families but after the moving of the show rooms, the situation will be changed,” said Suzan Salah, a resident of the area. Wafi Khalifa another resident said the new facility at Al Roq’ah Al Hamra definitely is great news as it would solve the suffering of the residents in the area. “We are fed up of the used cars companies insisting on occupying almost all parking spaces in the area,” said Khalifa. The owners of used cars show rooms have also welcomed the new project and have urged the authorities concerned to execute the project as quickly as possible, as it has already been delayed for two years. Mohammed Amjad, owner of Al Hikmah Used Cars showroom said the completion of the new used market is the only solution to protect his business. “This is a residential area where more than 500 used cars showrooms are doing business. The residents are suffering a lot and the owners of the showrooms are losing money. The municipality tows away cars and fines me Dh500 and Dh300 as recovery fee. I end up paying a lot of money. The cars were parked on the road since the space given to me by the municipality was not enough for display,” he said. Siddiqi Rahman, owner of Al Taqwa showroom, said: “We hope to shift as soon as possible . It’s very difficult for us to keep the business running in this situation, because the little profit we make goes in the payment of fines to the municipality which tows our cars away daily. – afkarali@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International
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