Heads up, Abu Dhabi drivers. If you frequently visit or work in the Musaffah industrial district, your parking routine is about to change. Q Mobility has just announced that starting Monday, April 20, a new paid parking system will go live in several sectors of the area.

This isn’t just about fees; it’s a major move to clear up the haphazard parking that often turns the busy industrial hub into a gridlock.

What you’ll pay

The goal is to keep traffic moving and make sure shoppers and residents can actually find a spot. Here is the breakdown:

• Rate: Standard parking is set at Dh2 per hour.
• How to Pay: No need to hunt for a machine, you can handle everything via the TAMM or Darb apps.

Why the change?

If you’ve ever tried to navigate Musaffah during peak hours, you know the struggle. Officials are hoping this regulated system will:

• Reduce Congestion: Stop long-term “dumping” of vehicles in high-demand spots.
• Improve Access: Make it easier for customers to get to businesses and for workers to find reliable parking.
• Enhance Safety: Clearer roads mean better vehicle movement and fewer accidents in the industrial zone.

This isn’t the first time Musaffah has seen these changes. This new rollout follows a similar move back in January, which saw parking regulated in other parts of the zone under the Integrated Transport Centre. It’s all part of a bigger plan to modernise Abu Dhabi’s busiest districts and support local commercial activity.

Faith communities in Dubai are celebrating this week as two of the city’s most popular spiritual landmarks, Shri Krishna Temple and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, officially opened their doors again.

The move has signalled a major step back toward normalcy following a brief, precautionary hiatus that had the city’s faithful tuning in from home.

Why the sudden pause

Authorities hit the pause button on in-person gatherings back on April 3 as a safety precaution due to heightened regional tensions.

The timing was particularly tough for the Christian community, as it hit right during Holy Week and Easter, the busiest time of the year. Major churches like St. Francis of Assisi and St. Mary’s had to pivot fast, moving their massive services entirely online to keep everyone safe.

Worshipping back in Bur Dubai

Good news for the Indian expat community: The Shri Krishna Temple in Bur Dubai is officially back in action. As one of the UAE’s oldest Hindu temples, its reopening for daily prayers is a huge deal for residents who frequent the spiritual heart of Old Dubai.

While the doors are open, the Community Development Authority (CDA) still wants everyone to play it safe, so expect to follow basic community guidelines when you visit.

St. Mary’s: Open, but with restrictions

Over at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, things are looking up, but they are keeping a close eye on the crowds. Serving a massive congregation of over 350,000 people, the church has resumed services with restricted attendance.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia confirmed that while you can finally get back to the pews, access will be controlled to make sure things don’t get too crowded too fast.

The reopening of these landmarks is a clear sign that Dubai is balancing its safety-first mindset with the needs of its vibrant, diverse community. For thousands of residents, getting back to their physical places of worship is more than just a schedule change; it’s a long-awaited return to the heart of their social and spiritual lives.

Dubai Police have issued a renewed and stern warning to motorists regarding the dangers of sudden swerving, labelling the manoeuvre as a primary catalyst for fatalities and severe collisions on the emirate’s high-speed roads.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs, highlighted that while missing an exit or attempting a quick overtake may seem minor, the resulting “side-impact collisions, loss of vehicle control, and rollovers” are often life-altering.

The split-second danger

Recent monitoring by Dubai Police has recorded a surge in incidents where drivers changed lanes without indicators or ensured the road was clear. On high-speed corridors, these actions leave zero reaction time for surrounding motorists.

“Arriving late is far better than not arriving at all,” said Major General Al Mazrouei. “Missing an exit never justifies putting lives at risk. We urge the public to remain calm, use indicators correctly, and avoid impulsive decisions behind the wheel.”

The cost of a sudden turn

To deter risky behaviour, Dubai Police reminded the public of the strict penalties under Article 29 of the Federal Traffic Law. Motorists caught swerving suddenly face:

• A Dh1,000 fine.
• Four black points added to their traffic file.

Community vigilance: We are all police

Road safety is a shared responsibility. The public is encouraged to report dangerous driving behaviour via the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police smart app or by using the “We Are All Police” service by calling 901.