• Home
• /
• World
• /
• Gulf

Muncipality stops accepting old plot numbers: official

DUBAI - Dubai Municipality will stop accepting old land numbers,

which are required from land owners, contractors and consultants for various procedures, with effect from June 1, 2003, Essa Al Maidoor, Director of the Building Housing Department announced yesterday.

Explaining the reason behind the move, Mr Maidoor said that with the rapid growth experienced in the emirate in terms of population and business, the need for construction both for residential and commercial purposes has risen manifold over the years.

He said it was found that the earlier land numbering system, which also included the name of the area, the type of plot - commercial, industrial, agricultural and private - and a number for the plot of land, was less accurate and there were chances of duplication of the numbers.

"The municipality has been working on the new numbering system since 1995, and its actual implementation began only two years later in 1997. Since then, all site plans have been based on the new land numbering system," Mr Maidoor noted. He explained that the new numbering system is digital in nature and contains only numbers, which signify the area, type of land, and a unique number for each plot.

"The seven-digit number is unique and contains all the information pertaining to a plot of land, and there is no room for error in the new system," Mr Maidoor commented. He said that the system has primarily been introduced to create a uniformity of data between various government departments so as to facilitate the e-government implementation.

Mr Maidoor noted that apart from accuracy and compatibility, the new system will also allow greater flexibility in terms of modifying and adding new zones and areas in the emirate to the data list.

He added that the number would be recognised by the e-government unified network, while currently it is used for various procedures at the municipality and is also used by other government departments. He urged the contractors, landowners and others to make the new number available to the tenants, who may require it for applying for a number of services.

He said that after the deadline of May 31, 2003, no transactions will be possible on the old plot numbers and as such all concerned should utilise the grace period and procure the new number by applying for a site plan.