Abu Shagara car market shifted, residents relieved

Sharjah - The first day of 2016 saw the used car market wear a deserted look as it has been moved to Al Ruqa Al Hamra.

This new year comes with great news for those living in the Abu Shagara locality. The first day of 2016 saw the used car market wear a deserted look as it has been moved to Al Ruqa Al Hamra on December 31, 2015. A total of 370 used car outlets were shifted from Abu Shagara as Dec 31 was the deadline.
All signboards of the car showrooms have been removed and the area that for the past 20 years was known for its parking woes, chaos and hordes of "agent sharks" lurking around every corner asking "car for sale," has finally gone quiet and looks much cleaner.
Residents of the area also hailed the effort of the Sharjah government in ending their suffering and responding to their complaints.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Idris Fadull Abdoon who has been resident of Abu Shagara for 10 years said that he couldn't believe that the ordeal has ended. "With this good news at the start of the year, we feel very happy and now we have hope in life and that our problem will be resolved."
Amira Abdullatif, with great cheerful smile expressed her delight about the move. "Oh My God! All ugly, old used cars have gone! Look the parking spaces are available very close to my building! This is ther best possible new year gift" she said
Omar Hussain Khan and his family, residents of the area, expressed their satisfaction at the news. "Earlier we felt the area is no longer good for living and we planned to move to another area as many people did, but today with this move we changed our mind and will continue living here which we think will be more safe and good than before now."
A car showroom owner Ahmed Al Khalidy, who was seen shifting his stuff from the shop, said that December, 31 was my last day here and we have moved all our cars to the new market. "We own this shop since 35 years and we feel very sad to leave it and move, but we can't help it. We will convert it into a supermarket to serve the people of the area"
Unhappy about the move, owner of Waha Qaisar showroom said that he understands the suffering of the residents, but said this issue started only 10 years ago. "The increasing number of residential buildings and growing number of residents in the area has created this issue. The new market is far away, and will need atleast two years for people to know about it and get familiarize with it and this will affect the business. The only reason that made this market the biggest one in the Middle East was its location," he said.
Abdullah Al Hadidi, manager of the new used cars who was appointed by Usool management, a government body that manages the market, said that the new market in Al Ruqa Al Hamra will be officially inaugurated by the end of January. The area of the new used market is extended in 420,000 square metres which will accommodate 357 used car showrooms and 23 outlets for car inspections and washing services and accessories outlets.
Tough penalties
Cars of those dealers who do not abide by the deadline will be confiscated and hefty fines ranging between Dh500 to Dh2,000 will be imposed.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com