Dubai Creek will have more environment-friendly Abras

ABU DHABI, 27 Dec, 04 (WAM) - Dubai Creek could soon have a more environment-friendlywater taxis as studies are presently underway to use solar-powered motorsfor the traditional diesel-powered Abras, Abdulaziz Malik, Director ofDubai Municipality's Public Transport Department said yesterday.

Abdulaziz Malik was speaking at a Press conference to announce the beginningof works on the project of two new Abra stations at Dubai Creek and installationof floating pontoons at two of the existing Abra stations, according toreports in the UAE's dailies.

Making the announcement about the new stations, Rashad Bukhash, Directorof General Projects Department, said the step, aimed at developing thecreek, is part of the constant efforts of the municipality to furtherenhance the water taxi service by providing more comfort and facilitiesto the Abra users.

He said that it is also considered to be a move in the direction of preservingthe historical importance of Dubai Creek, which is a strategic locationthat supports the commercial life of Dubai and forms the main artery ofthe economic movement in Dubai.

The many facilities constructed alongside the Creek over the years haveproved to be a boost to the economic, commercial, tourist, recreationaland environmental activities, he added.

Bukhash said the two new stations will be at Al Baniyas Road near DubaiMunicipality headquarters on Deira side and Al Seef corner at the Al SeefRoad on Bur Dubai side.

'Construction will commence this month and will continue for a periodof 12 months. Phased out construction programme will be adopted to minimisethe disruption of any service or other inconveniences to the passengers.

Accordingly, the phasing-out programme work will commence at Baniyas andDubai Old Souq Stations first,' Bukhash said.

'The Public Transport department of Dubai Municipality will announcenecessary station closures and Abra diversion schemes through the pressand by use of station signage as the project proceeds,' Malik said.

'The Abra ferry system, which remained as a mode of crossing the DubaiCreek for more than a century, has formed an integral part of the publictransport infrastructure of Dubai. Prior to motorisation, the originalAbras were rowed across the Creek,' he added.

'In the latest phase of the development, Dubai Municipality has commissioneda project to upgrade the four existing Abra stations and construct twonew stations along the Creek aiming to enhance passenger safety, amenityvalue and the efficiency of the system to meet the future demand of 19.4million passengers in year 2015,' Malik said.

He said that in 2002, Bur Dubai Abra Station was converted to trial apontoon system for Abra berthing and passenger access.

As the trial station has performed extremely successfully, a similarconfiguration will be adopted for all Abra stations in the new project.

In addition to introduction of pontoons, the amenity value of the landsidewill be improved using modern architectural features blended with heritageand cultural attribute of Dubai,' Malik said.

Khalid Mohammed Al Zahed, Head of Costal Management Section, said thestrategic projects undertaken by the civic body for costal managementamounts to more than Dh32 million.

'This work, being monitored by the Coastal Management Section of theGeneral Projects Department, includes regular maintenance of the coastalamenities, setting up of floating pontoons for Abra stations and enhancingthe quality of creek water,' Al Zahed said.