A death trap
The U-turn at Al Manama Street in Dubai that leads to the entrance of International City is like a death trap ("Residents complain about lack of facilities," Gulf News, April 5).
Without exaggeration, one can see an accident happening on an almost daily basis. This is usually due to the sewage tankers parked on the hard shoulder and on the provision for the U-turn.
The carnage on the road is reminiscent to the roads of a war torn area. I've lived in International City for over a year and have seen the traffic grow, especially due to the construction of other upcoming projects in the area.
Sadly the road width has not increased accordingly.
From Mr Khurram Iqbal
Dubai
Construction nightmare
The noise caused by the ongoing and continuous construction in International City causes a lot of discomfort, especially late in the night.
The main entrance must be large enough to adapt to the traffic increase caused by the huge population residing in the area. The greenery is poorly maintained as well.
I do appreciate the efforts made by the authorities to ensure optimum customer satisfaction and hope to see some improvement, soon.
From Mr Alain Enkiri
UAE
Problems
As a resident of the England cluster in International City, my family and I face all the issues as mentioned in Gulf News report.
Add to it, we stay in a building that has lots of bachelors who play loud music through the night. The nightmare is that they don't understand English, so I cannot stop them!
The narrow parking slots are a problem as well, as I see a few extra scratches on my car doors every morning.
Additionally, guests who come to my apartment always get lost, as there is no signage to provide directions.
Considering the aforesaid issues, I would be happy to move to Ajman and won't mind driving an extra 30 minutes.
From Mr Habib
UAE
Full name withheld by request
Blocked
Though International City is very good to stay in, a major problem lies at the entrance of the city, especially from the Al Manama Street.
Car accidents occur on an almost daily basis at the U-turn leading to the entrance, caused by trucks carrying sewage that block the same. I wish there was a solution for this.
From Ms Bahaa Hamouda
Dubai
Benefit of doubt
Since it is a new development, International City is bound to be short of facilities. There are no clinics or parks, and the entire area has just one mosque for more than 100,000 residents.
Everybody has to use their car to get to the mosque except those who live in the China cluster. In order to exit, one has to go all the way around Al Manama Street.
These issues aside, the place is definitely much cheaper as compared to other areas in Dubai, and it takes me just 20 minutes to drive to work.
From Mr Faisal
Dubai
Bad plumbing
I live in the Persia cluster and the smell from the sewage plant from across the street is horrendous.
Additionally there is a problem with most of the plumbing in International City. The pipes used are too small.
So in case of the smallest blockage or if one washes the dishes or uses the washing machine, the entire drainage water floods the floor.
Another issue is the trucks that block all four entrances and slow traffic, thereby making it dangerous to drive.
From Mr S. Johnson
Dubai
More problems
Leaving out clothes to dry overnight is not a good option since the clothes absorb the putrid smell emitted from the sewerage treatment plant.
I would say the road access to International City is long with U-turns and roundabouts. The place looks easily accessible, being next to the Emirates Road, but is actually quite far.
If the different clusters had separate access it would ease the traffic considerably.
From Ms Nripa
UAE
Basic facilities needed
I am a student residing in the China cluster at International City. Though the area is fast developing it lacks basic amenities such as food outlets, medical clinics and hospitals.
From Ms Shambhavi Mishra
Dubai
No groceries nearby
My parents stay in the Morocco cluster at International City. All the problems stated in Gulf News article are absolutely correct.
Once, while visiting my parents, I bought milk for my daughter from a grocery in the area and later discovered that it was stale.
The grocery was quite far from my parent's apartment and therefore I couldn't return it.
My parents have to travel either to Karama or Deira for their grocery shopping, as there are no supermarkets close by.
From Ms Farah Shah
UAE
Smelly affair
If one compares the rents in International City to that of other areas in Dubai, one can understand why the apartments are cheaper. Sewage smell and rats are a widespread issue.
From Mr Mohammad
UAE
Do-gooders
As a long time resident of the UAE, I have come across a lot of considerate people who readily help out those in need (“Gulf News helps locate anonymous do-gooder”, Gulf News, April 2).
When you need assistance on the highway or even in the desert, many people drive away without a second glance. But there are some that make sure they stop and ask what the problem is.
They try their best to do whatever they can to help, even if it means digging away the sand from your vehicle’s tyre with their bare hands.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Go green
With the effects of global warming increasing at a frightening rate, reusing plastic bags has to be enforced rather than requested (“Jute bags an environment-friendly alternative to plastic carriers”, Gulf News, April 6).
Supermarkets can offer free jute bags for every purchase of Dh200. They can also charge a nominal fee for purchases below a certain price for a limited period of time and phase out plastic completely.
Customers will have to buy the jute bags after the specified period. Our children not only need education, they also need a safer place to live.
From Mr H. Venkateswaran
Dubai
Alternatives please
I recently moved from Canada to the UAE and found that the usage of plastic bags is comparatively very high here (“‘No to Plastic Bags’: Gulf News launches campaign”, Gulf News, March 23).
Laws should be enforced to stop using plastic bags at supermarkets. Paying for plastic bags will not be a viable solution, because a majority of the population cannot afford to purchase them every day.
Supermarkets should start selling reusable shopping bags that are strong, affordable and easy to maintain.
This will allow everyone to minimise, or even completely stop using plastic bags to save the environment.
From Ms Priya Karthikeyan
Dubai
What’s the point?
While I wholly support the move to reduce plastic bag usage, has anyone considered the fact that many of us use such bags to line our trash bins (“‘No to Plastic Bags’: Gulf News launches campaign”, Gulf News, March 23)?
What would be the point of reusable cloth bags if we were then compelled to buy bin liners? Perhaps bags could be manufactured of a more biodegradable material.
From Ms Laurie Steinke
Dubai
More should be done
The smoking ban has improved the quality of life for smokers and non-smokers and has given us all the chance to breathe easier in enclosed areas (“Sharjah makes public areas smoke-free from June 1”, Gulf News, April 2).
The move to ban smoking could be further enhanced with three more steps.
Firstly, customs on tobacco products should be increased to a rate that is 10 times more than the actual value of a cigarette pack.
A pack of cigarettes should be sold at a minimum price of Dh15 to Dh20.
Secondly; tobacco importers must spend 10 per cent of their gross revenue on financing health awareness and abstinence centres. And lastly, smoking should be banned in parks and on beaches.
From Mr Maher Adi
UAE
Accident again
A recent Gulf News report highlighted yet another accident (“Father and child killed in accident near Airport Road underpass”, Gulf News, April 6).
When people drive recklessly, putting their own - and more importantly - other people’s lives in danger, its no longer an accident.
The families of these people are left to suffer because of a needless and foolish act. Y
oung lives are taken away much too early, and for what? Car accidents in the UAE have become so common; that it is no longer shocking. Whatever happened to the new driving laws?
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Use child seats
A recent Gulf News report highlighted an accident in Abu Dhabi that killed a father along with his child (“Father and child killed in accident near Airport Road underpass”, Gulf News, April 6). This news affected me a lot.
There is a dire need to make car seats mandatory for children under the age of five. I have seen children who stand in the backseats of moving cars.
Some are carried in the laps of parents seated in front. How many more lives need to be lost before any action is taken?
A law needs to be implemented immediately. Please love your children and buckle them up while traveling by car.
A few days of crying on the part of the child, and stress on your part, are worth the safety of your child.
From Ms Fizza Bokhari
New York, USA
First aid tips
Our belief in God becomes stronger when we read articles about anonymous people helping each other (“Gulf News helps locate anonymous do-gooder”, Gulf News, April 2).
Case in point being the recent report of a little girl who was saved by an ‘angel’.
As a doctor, I understand a person’s anxiety in coping with situations as faced by Ms Jyoti Rana.
In times like these or when in a medical emergency, it is important to know a few basic first aid tips in case one is unable to find medical assistance.
Always ensure there is an antipyretic medication (as prescribed by a physician) in your first aid kit. After waiting for about 15 to 20 minutes, apply an ice bag to the head.
Place a cold wet compress on the neck, groin and underarms of the body. Use a washcloth dipped in water and cover the torso.
These measures would bring down the temperature and thereby prevent a febrile seizure from occurring.
Most importantly, I urge all parents to ensure that they seek medical support as early as possible.
From Dr Nirmal Sumitha
UAE
