Sharjah Creek in need of fencing

The absence of fencing on the Sharjah Creek is believed to be the cause of death of the Sharjah's Indian Association President, M.K. Madhavan, and his relative. They died when their vehicle plunged into the creek. The driver of the vehicle who tried to park the car in which Madhavan and three others were travelling, instead of applying the brakes, accidentally stepped on the accelerator thereby plunging headlong into the water as there were no barriers along the creek.

A simliar accident also took place recently on the Sharjah Corniche near the Central Souq, thanks to the lack of proper fencing around the water. The couple and their dog inside the car had a lucky escape.

Wilson M. of Sharjah said: "Since I have been reading about these accidents in the newspapers, I am terrified to pass by or even park my car near the creek or the Corniche area. There is no proper fencing that can prevent motorists from falling into the water. The authority concerned should do some thing about this problem. Otherwise a lot of accidents will take place." Meenakshi, a resident of Sharjah, said that the lack of safety barriers has resulted in a number of accidents because many drivers are not alert while driving.

"The recent accidents have made me very cautious, specially when I am passing by any part of the Sharjah Creek."Ghasan Al Sunni, whose little son nearly drowned recently in the Buhaira Corniche, said that the entire Sharjah Corniche needed proper fencing, minimum eight feet high, to prevent mishaps.

Recalling the accident of his four-year-old son Shihab, Ghassan said that his family went over to the Al Buhaira Corniche to spend an evening and to allow their children to play. His little son fell into the water when he tried to run after the ball he was playing with. "He was saved. Since then we have decided not to spend time on the Corniche until proper fencing is installed," he said.

A municipality official told Khaleej Times that the fencing was not their concern; the Department of public works is responsible for this. But, asked about the fencing along the Sharjah Creek and the Buhaira Corniche, Khaula Al Noman, Director General of the Department of public works, said that it was the responsibility of the municipality.