Dubai’s vehicle growth rate has soared beyond 8 per cent, far exceeding the global average of 2 per cent, according to Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Calling this surge “abnormal,” the minister stressed the urgent need for new policies and regulations to manage vehicle ownership and traffic congestion.
Every day, about one million people from other emirates travel to Dubai for work, causing heavy traffic on major highways, including the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road. Studies show that four out of five employees drive alone, adding to the congestion.
With so many cars on the road, traffic jams have become a daily struggle, making road travel longer and more stressful for everyone. Authorities are looking for solutions to improve public transport and reduce the number of solo drivers to help ease the burden on roads.
To tackle the issue, the Ministry has requested that it be included in the UAE Government’s Annual Meetings for better coordination with local authorities. A special task force, including representatives from the Ministry of Interior and local governments, is already studying the problem, with several proposals submitted to the Cabinet.
Traffic Crisis Worsening Day by Day
Al Hammadi highlighted alarming statistics
- The total vehicle increase across Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain is 23%
- 1.2 million cars enter Dubai daily, up from 850,000 just 18 months ago
- Dubai issues 4,000 new driver’s licenses daily
- Employees commuting between Dubai and Sharjah spend about 460 hours a year in traffic, equivalent to 60 working days
Proposed Solutions to Ease Traffic Congestion
The Ministry has outlined key measures to address the rising traffic crisis:
- Expanding road corridors between Dubai and other emirates
- Developing new highways to improve connectivity
- Enhancing public transportation with new and improved transit options
- Integrating mass transit systems to encourage more people to use public transport
Concerns Over Delayed Implementation
During a Federal National Council (FNC) session, Adnan Al Hammadi, an FNC member, raised concerns about increasing congestion between Dubai and Sharjah. He pointed out that over a year ago, the minister had assured him that traffic studies were complete and solutions would be implemented in 2024. However, with congestion worsening, Al Hammadi pressed for a clear update on the progress.
In response, Al Mazrouei confirmed that development work on key federal roads started in 2024 and is ongoing. However, Al Hammadi expressed frustration, stating that the same update was given over a year ago. “When will we see these solutions in real life?” he asked.
(Source: KT, independent.co)
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