An Indian expat living in Dubai has won Dh150,000 in the latest Big Ticket Abu Dhabi weekly e-draw, part of Series 276.

Naushadh Chathery, a 37-year-old driver from Kerala, struck lucky in the weekly raffle. He has been living and working in Dubai for the past 15 years while his family remains back home in India.

Win 20 Years in the Making

Chathery has been participating in Big Ticket for two decades, sometimes solo, sometimes with a group of friends. For this draw, he opted for the popular ‘Buy 2, Get 4 Free’ bundle with 10 friends, and it was one of the free tickets that clinched their win.

Chathery said that the group plans to split the prize, and he will save his share. His eyes are now firmly set on the grand prize of Dh25 million.

Countdown to Dh25 Million Grand Draw

The Dh150,000 prize comes ahead of the grand finale on July 3, when one lucky winner will walk away with Dh25 million. On the same day, three others will win Dh75,000 each as part of the e-draw series.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.bigticket.ae or at counters at Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport.

Abu Dhabi Police are reminding motorists to take advantage of generous discounts on traffic fines if they pay early.

Under the ongoing “Take the Initiative and Benefit” campaign, drivers can get a 35% discount on fines if they settle them within 60 days of issuance. After that, a 25% discount still applies, but only for non-serious violations.

Easy, Digital Payments

To make things easier, the fines can be paid through multiple digital channels, including the Abu Dhabi Police website and mobile app, ensuring quick, hassle-free transactions.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to:

• Promote road safety
• Encourage responsible driving
• Support the community by easing financial burdens and encouraging legal compliance

Don’t Let Fines Pile Up

Brigadier Mahmoud Yousef Al Balushi, Director of the Traffic and Security Patrols Directorate, stressed the importance of timely payment and compliance with traffic laws. Avoiding delays not only ensures a cleaner driving record, but also helps residents make the most of available discounts.

The discounts

• 35% discount: Pay within 60 days
• 25% discount: After 60 days (excludes serious violations)
• Pay easily via the official website and app
• Campaign goal: Safer roads, less financial stress

So if you’ve got a traffic fine, now’s the time to clear it.

Motorists in Business Bay can now enjoy shorter commutes and less time spent in traffic, thanks to a series of road improvements rolled out by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

A key change involved converting a two-lane, two-way street parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road into a one-way, dual-carriageway. With upgraded signage and fresh road markings, this move has doubled the road’s capacity, a game-changer for drivers who previously faced long delays during peak hours.

The upgraded street connects directly to Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, two of Dubai’s busiest arteries. The enhancements are already making it easier and faster to get in and out of Business Bay, cutting down on congestion and helping drivers avoid frustrating bottlenecks.

Previously, residents and office-goers in the area reported waiting over 30 minutes just to exit parking lots during rush hour. Now, smoother traffic flow and improved road safety mean less time spent stuck behind the wheel.

Quick wins for quicker commutes

Several strategic upgrades were introduced to cut down travel delays:

• A new 100-metre storage lane was added at the Al Mustaqbal Street and Al Khaleej Al Tejari 1 Street intersection, increasing right-turn capacity by 50% and helping drivers move through the junction faster.
• The service road parallel to Al Mustaqbal Street was reorganised, with an extra lane added to handle more vehicles. This increased road capacity by about 50 per cent and reduced traffic congestion, making for a smoother ride.
• The bridge entry on Al Mustaqbal Street heading toward First Al Khail Street was widened from one lane to two, effectively doubling its capacity. This key update now helps ease pressure during peak hours, cutting down delays in one of Business Bay’s busiest zones.

With Business Bay serving as a hub for homes, offices, and tourism, these improvements are a welcome relief for anyone trying to save time on the road.