News

Dubai to before long have guideline to clear way for driverless vehicles on streets

Published

5 years ago

October 28, 2021

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RTA means to finish enactment in 2022 in front of introduction of independent vehicles in 2023

Dubai expects in 2022 to finish the guideline expected to permit self-driving vehicles on the streets by 2023, a senior authority said on Wednesday.

Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) told journalists: “We are very quick contrasted with different urban communities in giving the guideline [to administer self-driving vehicles on the roads]. We as of now have the full guideline in Dubai for directing preliminaries on streets for independent vehicles, however presently the following stage for us is to give guideline for genuine activity, business activity [on the roads], and that is the thing that we’re dealing with now. We are very best in class in that at this point.”

He added: “We are working with the Dubai enactment authority, Dubai Police and every one of our accomplices. We expect that by the following year we will have the guideline set up.”

Driverless taxicabs in Dubai

RTA plans to have five percent of the Dubai Taxi armada as driverless taxis out and about by 2023, it was prior declared in August. RTA had as of late consented to an organization arrangement with General Motors-upheld ‘Voyage’ to run driverless cabs and shared vehicle administrations in Dubai.

The move will make Dubai the main city outside the US to work such vehicles.

As per the understanding, RTA is finishing all arrangements for the dispatch of self-driving taxicabs in 2023 with a predetermined number of vehicles. The quantity of vehicles in activities will be increased slowly to arrive at 4,000 self-driving taxicabs by 2030.

Health

UAE to India travellers face new mandatory health declaration

Published

16 mins ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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If you’re travelling from the UAE to India, there’s a new travel requirement you shouldn’t miss.

India has introduced Air Suvidha 2.0, a mandatory online health declaration system for all international arrivals. The form must be completed within 24 hours before your flight and is required before passengers are allowed to board.

The new system was introduced by India’s civil aviation authorities as a precautionary measure in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

What is Air Suvidha 2.0?

Air Suvidha 2.0 is an online self-declaration portal where travellers must provide their recent travel and health information before flying to India.

Passengers will be asked to submit details including:

Their travel history over the past 21 days
Any possible exposure to infectious diseases
Whether they are experiencing any related symptoms

Once the form is submitted, it is automatically shared with the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) under India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is the form mandatory?

Yes. All international passengers travelling to India are required to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form before boarding their flight.

Airlines may ask passengers to show proof that the form has been submitted before allowing them to travel.

Do you need a printed copy?

No. After submitting the form, travellers will receive a confirmation by email, which can simply be shown on a mobile phone upon arrival in India. There’s no need to carry a printed copy.

Completing the form in advance also helps speed up the arrival process by reducing paperwork at the airport.

Announcements

Good news for businesses: Sharjah slashes fees and fines

Published

51 mins ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Businesses in Sharjah can now benefit from a range of temporary fee reductions after Sharjah Police unveiled a new package of incentives aimed at easing costs and supporting the emirate’s business community.

The measures, introduced in line with a decision by the Sharjah Executive Council, include 50% discounts on several security-related fees, along with reduced fines and lower training costs for companies.

What discounts are available?

Under the new initiative, eligible businesses will receive:

50% off security permit renewal fees for commercial activities
50% off security system subscription fees
50% reduction on eligible violations and fines
20% off mandatory training programme fees for companies

Sharjah Police said the initiative is designed to support commercial establishments, encourage business sustainability and further strengthen the emirate’s position as an attractive destination for investment.

How long will the discounts last?

The incentives will be available for three months from the date the decision comes into effect.

Businesses seeking more information about the discounts and eligibility can contact the Sharjah Police Call Centre on 901.

India

Waiting for Indian passport services in the UAE? Here’s the latest update

Published

1 hour ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Indian nationals in the UAE will have to wait a little longer for regular passport, visa and attestation services to resume.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have announced that they will continue offering only emergency consular services until July 1, extending the temporary suspension of routine services by an additional day.

In a post on the missions’ official X account, the embassy said emergency requests for passports, visas, attestation and other consular services will continue to be processed during the transition period.

Why the delay?

The extension comes as the Indian missions complete the handover of outsourced passport, visa and attestation services to Alhind Tours and Travel LLC, which is set to begin operations in the UAE from July 1.

Under the transition plan, previous service providers BLS International and SGIVS Global stopped accepting new applications after June 25, while regular appointments were suspended from June 26.

The missions said the extension is due to administrative reasons.

Need urgent assistance?

Applicants with emergency requirements can contact the Indian missions through:

Toll-free: 800 46342 (800 INDIA)
WhatsApp: +971 54 309 0571
Email: pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in

The embassy said details about the resumption of normal services from July 2 onwards will be announced separately and advised applicants to follow its official social media channels for updates.