Many reasons why you should use Dubai Metro

Still not found enough reason to switch to metro leaving your car at home? I found plenty of reasons!

No traffic, no wandering for scarce parking space, good bye to crazy scary drivers on sheikh zayed road - enough reason for loving metro which take away all the stress of driving in Dubai.

Meet people, get to know about people. It brings the real Dubai life more closer which is never possible when you drive, go to places, get things done, drive back home.

Some more walking which is good for sedentary city life style. Read, dream, sleep if you get a seat. Satisfaction for little more savings on Salik and huge parkig charges. Self gratification of being environmetally friendly by reducing carbon foot print of driving a car the worst thing that a man do to the environment.

But one thing that i dont like about Dubai metro is the complex access to train with so many escalators. Two level up for foot bridge, two level down for check-in then again two level up for entering the train (nakheel
harbour and tower station). Most of the stations are some what the same, I understand.

Then the not so easy access for parking! One has to drive 8km just to complete a u-turn from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station car parking! This station got somewhere around 3000 parking space! RTA must find some way to reduce this long u-trun drive!

But it is worth using metro as much as possible - reason be it social , environmental, financial or health.

പ്രതികരണവും ആക്രമണവും

പബ് സംസ്കാരത്തിനെതിരെയുള്ള പ്രതിഷേധം ശ്രീ രാമ സേനയുടെയും പ്രമോദ് മുത്തലിക്കിന്റെയും സ്റ്റൈല്‍ ആകുമ്പോള്‍ തെറ്റ് തന്നെ. പക്ഷെ മാന്ഗ്ലൂരിലെ പബ് ആക്രമണത്തെ മുന്‍ നിര്‍ത്തി പബ് സംസ്കാരത്തെ എതിര്‍ക്കുന്നവരെയെല്ലാം ശ്രീ രാമ സേനയുടെയും പ്രമോദ് മുത്തലിക്കിന്റെയും ഗണത്തില്‍ പെടുത്തുന്നത് അഭിലഷണീയമല്ല. പബ് സംസ്കാരത്തിനെതിരെ സംസാരിച്ച യെദിയൂരപ്പയെയുമ് രാജസ്താന് മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി അശോക് ഗെഹ്ലോത്തിനെയും കുറിച്ചു മിക്ക ദേശീയ പത്രങ്ങളും വാര്‍ത്ത നല്കിയത് ഇത്തരത്തിലായിരുന്നു എന്നത് ഖേദകരമാണ്.

Ashok Gehlot too sounds like a Sri Ram Sene activist- Politics/Nation-News-The
Economic Times :

"The Congress will have to set its house in order first before casting the first
stone against Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. Even as it blames the
BJP government in Karnataka for failing to stop Sri Ram Sene activists from
attacking a pub in Mangalore, its Rajasthan chief minister, Mr Ashok Gehlot, is
personally initiating action against ‘pub culture’ in the state. “The state
government would take some tough decisions to stop the culture of boys and girls
going hand-in-hand to pubs and malls for drinking,” declared Mr Gehlot"

പാര്‍ട്ടി സെക്രട്ടറിയുടെ രാജി

ഒരു പാര്‍ട്ടിയുടെ സെക്രട്ടറി രാജി വെക്കണമെന്ന് പറയാന്‍ മറ്റു പാര്‍ട്ടിക്കാര്‍ക്ക് എന്ത് അവകാശം? അത് തീര്‍ച്ചയായും അതതു പാര്‍ട്ടികളുടെ ആഭ്യന്തര കാര്യമാണ്. പക്ഷെ പാര്‍ട്ടികള്‍ അവരുടെ ആഭ്യന്തര കാര്യം എങ്ങിനെ കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യുന്നു എന്നതും പൊതു ജനങ്ങള്‍ വിലയിരുത്തും, വിലയിരുത്തണം. ജനങ്ങള്‍ തങ്ങളെ എങ്ങിനെ കാണണം എന്ന് അതതു പാര്‍ട്ടികള്‍ തന്നെ തീരുമാനിക്കാട്ടെ.

അഭയയും ലാവ്ലിനും

അഭയ കേസില്‍ പ്രതി ചെര്‍ക്കാപ്പെട്ടവരെ ന്യായീകരിക്കുവാനുമ് സംരക്ഷിക്കുവാനും സഭ നേരിട്ടു മുന്നിട്ടിരങ്ങിയപ്പോള്‍ അത് ഒരു ശരിയായ നടപടിയല്ല എന്ന് എനിക്ക് തോന്നിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. കാരണം അവര്‍ പ്രതി ചെര്‍ക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നത് സഭ പ്രതിനിധാനം ചെയ്യുന്ന മത-രാഷ്ട്രീയ പ്രശ്നവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട ഒരു കേസിലല്ല. മറിച്ചു അതിന്റെ അധ്യാപനത്തിനെതിരായ ഒരു അധാര്‍മിക പ്രവര്‍ത്തനത്തിന്റെ പേരിലാണ്.

ലാവ്ലിന്‍ കേസില്‍ പിണറായിയെ സരംക്ഷിക്കുവാന്‍ തീരുമാനിച്ച സി. പി. എം ആവര്‍ത്ത്തിക്കുന്നതും അതേ തെറ്റ് തന്നെ.

Experience at Indian Consulate

I went to Indian consulate on very next day of receipt of notice from my son's school asking for a birth certificate which is to be obtained from Indian Consulate (They gave a short notice of 7 days!). At the entrance I found a queue in front of the counter ‘enquiry and forms’. I waited in the queue and on my turn I told him I want a birth certificate for my son for School admission purpose. He issued me a form and asked me to go to Hall 2. He was not ready to listen to any further query and I was ‘ordered’ to move away. I didn't want to ask more as I have seen his 'response' to the people in front of me. I Went to Hall number 2. There are two long lines of queue, some counters displaying token numbers and some people are sitting in the hall (supposedly waiting for their token number to be displayed on counter display). So it is sure the two lines of queue are for different purposes and the token system is for different purpose. I found no body to enquire and the visitors whom I asked are not sure about anything. I asked a security man there and he undoubtedly told me to go to counter 8. One of the queues was in front of counter 8. There was about 10-15 people in the queue. On my turn, the lady at the counter told me I have to first pay at the cashier. I told her I am waiting this long and nobody here to properly guide. She told me go to cashier. I asked her how and where, she told me take token. (I was lucky to get that much information, but not more). But I found no sign either of cashier or for token. I just found warning board asking to make sure that all documents are in order before taking token. But I didn’t find any direction or sign board where to take token from! I asked a few people but every body said ‘sorry’.

Time is running. I am not here in Dubai to run behind these bureaucratic nonsenses. I have work. I called one my friend who may probably know some way out to get these things done. He gave me a telephone number of KMCC, an Indian association affiliated/recognized by Indian Consulate. I called them and they said they will do it. They may charge Dhs. 40.00 for their service, but I can get out of this mess. It will take 20 days to get the certificae (the school gave me 7 days - will see what is going to happen).Their office is open until late evening (11.00 pm) so I can go after my office hours. So I returned from Indian Consulate and decided to go to KMCC in the evening. They want to see the child in person. So I need to go home after office and take him along. So from Jebel Ali to Deira and back – approximately 100 km drive.

Also read my post: Birth Certificate for school admission

Birth Certificate for school admission

Received a notice from school of my child asking to submit birth certificate. "In case you fail to submit these documents by 20 May 2008 your child's admission cannot be registered with the Ministry of Education (UAE) and hence will be cancelled automatically. The school will not be refunding any fee deposited by you in such a situation". (they will not refund the fee, but what about possible loss of one year of my child? Can they refund?). The notice is dated 21 April 2008 but it was sent with child on 13 May 2008. So i have to arrange birth certificate in 7 days! (I am advised that it will take 20 days to get the certificate)

So what is nonsense?

My child got a passport issued by Indian Authority which clearly states his birth date and place. UAE government recognise this passport that is why they issued him a residence visa. So why can't Ministry of Education can't accept this as proof of his birth?


Government issues passport after verifying genuineness and birth certificate. As this valid passport is on hand, why another document is required to prove the birth? And this birth certificate required by Ministry of Education is to be issued from India Consulate. Indian Consulate issue this certificate purely based on the passport! So does this make sense to obtain another document of birth solely for school admission?


I have got birth certificate issued from the municipal authority in India at the town where he was born. Interestingly it is also not acceptable! They want one to be issued from Indian Consulate in Dubai. (I am not sure this is exactly what Ministry of Education requires. But this is what school authority asks for)

Anybody care the impact of such nonsense bureaucratic procedures?
Economic and environmental impact of these type of unnecessary bureaucratic procedures are enormous. Financial and psychological pressure that put on the individual is another thing.

Usage of paper: How much papers are wasted for such unnecessary procedures? Indian consulate got a 4 page application form for this purpose. They will probably will issue a certificate in a sheet of paper. It is common to have photocopy of passport which will be another 3 pages.

Traffic and carbon emission: For me it took one hour from office to Indian Consulate and back. Who knows how many of the cars on the road are driven for the purpose of such unnecessary procedures? Isn't a portion of the huge traffic on Dubai road, and a portion of the total carbon emission in the town for such unnecessary bureaucracy?

Time and productivity: An individual has to spend an average 3 hours in the Indian Consulate to get things done. The huge queue at the offices, and heavy burden and stress that create on the employee. The time off from work to get such things done. And psychological effect on individual who have to spent his time in long queue. The list goes on.

Financial and economic impact: The cost for the certificate at Indian Consulate is Dhs. 30.00. Cos of travelling. Economic impact of lost productivity, increased traffic and fuel consumption.

PS: Experience at Indian Consulate, Dubai is a subject for another post

Salik: Is it to reduce congestion?

Salik, the new road toll system is to be introduced in Dubai from 1st July 2007

If Salik is to reduce congestion, why it is charged during off-peak time? Sheikh Zayed Road is free in the morning on Fridays. Sheikh Zayed Road towards Dubai is free in the morning any day. People drive above maximum limit during this time. So why should make people to drive an extra few kilometers to avoid toll during off-peak time only to burn more fuel and make more pollution?

I welcome the Salik if it can reduce the congestion during peak time. If somebody wants to reach urgently it is impossible on Dubai road during peak time. If Salik would provide a road free from congestion to use at the time of emergency, people would happy and any body would benefit at one or other time. Last Sunday evening I had to reach Deira at 8.00 pm for a meeting from Jebel Ali where I stay. I started at 6.45 pm which I thought would be too early. It was fine until Trade Centre where I reached in 15 minutes (approx. 25km). Then it took almost 1 hour 45 minutes from Trade Centre to Deira through Maktoum Bridge (approx. 10 km)!

It is a daily scene that vehicles going towards Maktoum Bridge and Karama queued till trade centre from the junction after Trade Centre where roads to Maktoum Bridge and Garhoud bridge part. Toll gate at Garhoud Bridge will clog the road at this junction. The current queue which reach trade centre will drag too far along Sheikh Zayed Road. Even if one is ready to pay toll at Garhoud Bridge can’t escape from the huge congestion at this junction and near trade centre due to the vehicle trying to use Maktoum Bridge to avoid toll.

Which alternate route to Garhoud Bridge can be suggested for those who are coming from Sheikh Zayed Road and ready to pay toll at Garhoud? Why should they pay toll if they have to wait at Trade Centre for hours?

Salik will also cause congestion on Jumeria Road where Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeira and other tourist spots are located. This will definitely put tourists and top business executives who visit Dubai in agony.

Net effect can be summarized as follows:
1. It will help reduce congestion just in between the last exit before the toll gate and first entry after the toll gate

2. Toll gate at Garhoud Bridge will create more congestion from the Junction where Sheikh Zayed road part with the road to Maktoum Bridge through Trade Centre and Sheik Zayed Road.

3. There is no alternative route to avoid excessive congestion near Trade Centre for those who are coming from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Garhoud Bridge and are ready to pay toll. They may have to spend hours to pass the Trade Centre.

4. It will increase congestion in Jumeira which will make it difficult for visitors at Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeria and other interested spots for business visitors and tourists.

5. It will make life miserable for those who want to go Deira and Karama from Zheikh Zayed Road. Rashid Hospital will become inaccessible for those on Sheikh Zayed Road during peak time because people will use this route to avoid toll at Garhoud Bridge.

6.Since there is no sufficient public transport system in place at this moment, Salik will not help to reduce vehicle on the road, but create more clogged exits, more congested interior roads, more congested junctions.

Suggestions
1. Salik would help to reduce number of vehicles on the road, if there is sufficient public transport system. So wait until planned public mass transport systems (metro, water taxis, dedicated bus line and more buses on more routes) are in place.

2. Salik would help to reduce congestion on targeted road, if there are more number of alternate routes to all destinations. So wait until all the planned road projects are completed.

3.Make exits and alternate route more wide adding more lines.

4. Charge only during peak time. It would help reduce pollution and consumption of fuel by eliminating excess driving to avoid toll.