Motorists in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) will soon need to budget for on-street parking, as a new ticketless, fully digital system prepares to go live across the community.

Managed by Parkonic, the initiative introduces a time-based pricing structure and integrates directly with drivers’ Salik accounts for automatic billing, marking a significant shift from traditional parking models in Dubai.

The official activation date has yet to be confirmed.

Tiered parking fees

Under the new regulations, parking charges will apply from Monday to Saturday, with free parking on Sundays and public holidays.

The hourly rates are structured as follows:

• Dh4 per hour: 8am to 4pm
• Dh6 per hour (peak): 4pm to 8pm
• Dh4 per hour: 8pm to midnight

The higher evening tariff is designed to manage demand during peak hours, particularly in mixed-use residential and commercial zones.

How the cashless system works

Unlike conventional paid parking zones in Dubai, DSO will not have:

• Physical ticket machines
• Cash payment options
• QR code payment points

Instead, the system operates entirely through digital number plate recognition.

Drivers will have two payment options:

1. SMS Parking

Motorists can send an SMS to the number displayed on signage to initiate a parking session.

2. Automatic Salik Deduction (Default Method)

If no SMS session is activated, the system will automatically deduct the parking fee from the vehicle’s Salik account upon exit.

The vehicle’s Salik account is the default payment method unless SMS payment is successfully initiated.

Advice for drivers without Salik card

The parking policy applies to all vehicles, including those belonging to People of Determination (POD).

Drivers without a Salik account, or those with insufficient balance, are advised to use the SMS payment option. Failure to pay may result in:

• Fines
• Possible enforcement measures, including blacklisting

Salik deductions remain subject to the toll operator’s standard terms and conditions.

What residents and visitors should do

With activation pending, residents and regular visitors to Dubai Silicon Oasis are encouraged to:

• Ensure their Salik account is active and sufficiently funded
• Familiarise themselves with the tiered rate structure
• Monitor official announcements from Parkonic for the confirmed start date

The move reflects Dubai’s continued push toward smart city infrastructure and automated mobility systems, while also reshaping parking habits in one of the emirate’s fastest-growing communities.

Residents across the UAE have been urged to immediately stop using several health supplements and a laboratory product after the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) ordered their withdrawal from the market.

In four urgent circulars, the regulator announced the recall and ban of three food supplements and one medical product, citing safety concerns including unapproved ingredients, contamination risks and quality defects. The authority warned consumers not to purchase the named products, particularly through online sales platforms.

Businesses have also been instructed not to advertise, distribute, store or sell the affected items in pharmacies, medical warehouses, health shops or via e-commerce channels in the UAE.

Products that residents are advised to avoid

In its first alert, the EDE warned against an unauthorised supplement marketed as “Super Immune+”, stating that it contains unapproved ingredients, including dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), molybdenum amino acid chelate, and boron citrate. The product was neither registered nor legally imported into the UAE.

A second circular ordered the withdrawal of “WoundVite”, sold under the brand ZEN NUTRIENTS, after authorities identified the presence of a novel food ingredient not authorised under European regulations. The supplement had not undergone regulatory assessment in the UAE.

In a third notice, the EDE referenced a safety update issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coordinating with disease control authorities, regarding the recall of certain batches of “Rosabella Moringa Capsule” due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Separately, specific batches of the laboratory product “Isotonac-4” were recalled following a reported quality defect. The manufacturer and supplier have been instructed to implement an immediate withdrawal.

Public advisory

The EDE urged residents to verify the registration status of supplements and medical products before purchase and to avoid buying unverified health products from unofficial online sellers.

Consumers who have purchased any of the named items are advised to discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional if they experience any adverse effects.

Authorities continue to monitor the market to ensure consumer safety and prevent the circulation of unauthorised health products.

Etihad Rail has revealed new details of its highly anticipated passenger services launching in 2026, introducing exclusive family seating, strong onboard Wi-Fi for business travellers, and significantly reduced journey times across the UAE.

Azza AlSuwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, said the seating design will allow families to spend quality time together,a feature aligned with 2026 being the UAE’s Year of the Family.

Faster travel

The passenger rail network will connect 11 cities and regions, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, passing through:

• Ruwais
• Al Mirfa
• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai
• Sharjah
• Al Dhaid
• Fujairah

Travellers can expect major time savings, including:

• 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
• 105 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah

A separate high-speed rail service is also planned, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes, with trains reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h.

Designed for families and daily commuters

Etihad Rail says the new passenger experience is built around comfort, reliability and flexibility.

Key features include:

• Dedicated family seating areas
• Strong Wi-Fi connectivity for remote work and business travel
• Luggage storage for weekend trips and staycations
• A consistent and reliable timetable for daily commuters

“For commuters, reliability is everything. Etihad Rail will offer a journey people can plan around, one that gives them useful and usable time back,” AlSuwaidi said.

The project is expected to reshape commuting patterns, boost tourism and business travel, and support the country’s long-term economic vision.