Abandoned cars hog parking spaces

An abandoned car at an open space in Najma. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

By Ramesh Mathew
At a time when the city is facing severe shortage of parking space, the large number of old vehicles found abandoned in key locations is astonishing.
Although the municipal authorities had succeeded in clearing the city areas of several such abandoned vehicles in a drive more than two years ago, it is being increasingly noticed these days that people continue to abandon their old vehicles in open areas, especially in places which are used as parking lots by city residents.
A visit to such densely populated areas as Doha Jadeed, Najma, Umm Ghwaliana, Madinat Khalifa and Bin Omran showed that old vehicles were abandoned by their owners mostly in the open areas.
At an open space in Najma, at least three old cars have been lying abandoned for quite some time.
Also, in the Gulf Cinema complex parking lot behind the Alfardan Exchange in Najma, at least three vehicles, including a pick up and a goods carrier, are among those abandoned for several months.
“We have absolutely no clue as to who is to be informed about these vehicles,” said the owner of a restaurant in the Najma area. Among those vehicles abandoned in the same area are two delivery vans.
Inquiries made with authorities found that another round of clearing old abandoned vehicles is being planned.
Some of the residents complain that people are using such abandoned vehicles to dump their garbage.
Meanwhile, the municipal authorities have cleared the Shahara Al Asmakh area of old vehicles which had been abandoned there for several months.
For the residents of the Industrial Area the problem is bigger: trailers are among the vehicles abandoned on some of the streets.