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Commuters on the streets can now hail taxis by SMS
Commuters on the streets can now hail taxis by SMS
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter GULF NEWS Published: April 20, 2008, 00:34
Dubai: Passengers in Dubai no longer have to go through the daunting task of hailing a taxi on the road as they can now call one by just sending an SMS from their mobile phones, said a senior official.
The service has been designed for passengers who want to order taxis while waiting by the road, said Abdul Aziz Malek, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dubai Taxi Agency at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
He said the taxi agency is installing small boards with location code numbers and a taxi sign on them by the side of the road. A passenger can send an SMS to 4774, mentioning the area code on the taxi board.
The customer will have to wait in the same location until the taxi arrives. Once the commuter sends the SMS, it will reach the booking terminal of Dubai Taxi Agency and the booking supervisor will send the nearest taxi to the customer.
The booking terminal will also send the taxi reservation number to the customer, which he needs to show to the taxi driver before boarding.
The starting fare for taxis booked via SMS will be Dh6 during the day (from 6am to 10pm) and Dh7 at night (from 10pm to 6am).
In addition to the new service, Dubai Taxi Agency will continue to offer reservations via telephone and the internet.
“The new service has been launched after complaints from commuters about hailing a cab while waiting by the roadside,” said Malek.
Currently, Dubai has around 6,500, taxis including 3,200 run by Dubai Taxi Agency.
Booking taxis
Website: http://www.dubaitaxi.ae
Call centre: 2080808
The National – a new era in newspaper history of UAE
The National – was released today in the UAE, marking a new era in the newspaper history of UAE. A great start and we hope to enjoy more interesting news and features as it starts it’s journey around.
The newspaper can be accessed online at http://www.thenational.ae
Atlantis to open in September
Atlantis to open in September
Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: April 16, 2008, 15:19
Dubai: Atlantis, The Palm will open this September as the flagship resort on The Palm Jumeirah – the first resort to open its doors on the first of Dubai’s palm trilogy, the company said in a statement.
Created by Kerzner International Holdings, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, the new 1,539-room resort began accepting reservations on February 1.
“Already attracting interest from around the world, Atlantis anticipates Middle East residents will account for 30 per cent of all visitors, with UAE residents expected to make up a quarter of guests from the region,” the statement said.
With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, the opening of Atlantis, The Palm will be a landmark event, redefining tourism in Dubai and the Middle East as the first truly integrated entertainment resort.
The resort will encompass a 460,000 square metre site with 170,000 square metres of water-themed amusement at Aquaventure, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-aired marine habitat, an endless stretch of beach, luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices including four celebrity chef restaurants, an exciting nightclub, a spa and fitness club, and 5,600 square metres of meeting and function space.
“This is an exciting time for the Middle East and for Kerzner International. With the introduction of a new world icon in The Palm Jumeirah and our position as the flagship resort of this icon, Atlantis, The Palm will be the new gateway to this region. Out of a vision that married the wonders of marine life with stunning elegance and sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf alongside the most exciting water playground in this part of the world, we have developed an experience within Atlantis that is truly different than the existing pleasures of Dubai. We’re proud of the final product and cannot wait to share it in September when we open our doors,” said Sol Kerzner, executive chairman, Kerzner International.
Atlantis, The Palm can be accessed by a six-lane underwater vehicle tunnel, which surfaces next to the resort. Alternately, guests may also choose to leave their cars at the base of the trunk in a secure, dedicated parking area, and board a monorail to be transported through the centre of The Palm Jumeirah directly to Atlantis, The Palm.
Municipal clinics will not conduct medical tests for visas from July 1
Municipal clinics will not conduct medical tests for visas from July 1
By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: April 17, 2008, 00:15
Dubai: As of July 1, municipal clinics will not be allowed to conduct medical tests for residence and labour visas.
The UAE Cabinet reached the decision recently.
Expatriates are required to undergo medical testing every three years or when they change jobs to check for infectious diseases such as HIV/Aids and tuberculosis. Anyone found to be HIV-positive is deported.
Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health, told Gulf News the decision was reached to ensure public safety.
“No municipalities [will do the testing] anymore. It is not their speciality to test people for infectious diseases,” he said. He added municipalities had other responsibilities.
Under the new decision, medical facilities run by the preventive medicine department at the ministry, Dubai Health Authority and Abu Dhabi Health Authority will be the only ones tasked with the testing.
To ease the expected congestion at the health facilities, Al Qutami said in future the ministry would allow private facilities to conduct residence and labour visa medical testing.
Al Shindagha Tunnel in Dubai to be partially closed for two months
Al Shindagha Tunnel in Dubai to be partially closed for two months Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: April 15, 2008, 14:17
Dubai: Al Shindagha Tunnel, one of the vital links between Bur Dubai and Deira, will be partially closed at night for maintenance work.
“The maintenance work will last for about two months, from April 16 to June 12,” said Hussain Al Banna, Director of Right of Way Service Department at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
He said the tunnel will be closed from Bur Dubai to Deira side from 1am to 6am from April 16 to 19, May 12 to 15 and June 9 to 12.
The tunnel will be closed from Deira to Bur Dubai side from April 20 to 23, May 5 to 8 and June 2 to 5.
The closure time will be from 2am to 7am on Fridays, Saturdays and any other public holidays falling during the maintenance period.
“In case of closure of one direction of the tunnel, the other direction will be used for two-way traffic,” said Al Banna.
He urged motorists using the tunnel to use alternate routes such as Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Garhoud Bridge to cross Dubai Creek to avoid delays and traffic congestion.
Identical twin camel calves born in Dubai
Identical twin camel calves born in Dubai
By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: April 16, 2008, 00:17
Dubai: The birth of identical twin camel calves was announced in Dubai on Tuesday.
Zahi and Bahi, born on February 10 and February 26 respectively, both experienced a natural birth following a 13-month gestation.
Dr Lulu Skidmore and her team at the Camel Reproduction Centre in Dubai said the male twins were created using a technique called embryo micro-manipulation.
The process involved flushing a six-day old camel embryo from the uterus of the donor camel and splitting it into two halves.
Care was taken to ensure the tiny inner cell mass part of the embryo [the part that develops into the foetus] was actually split into equal halves otherwise only one foetus would have developed.
Both halves were then cultured for two hours and transferred into two separate surrogate mother camels. The surrogate mothers were synchronised with the donor mother to ensure they were at the same stage in their reproductive cycles.
Dr Lulu Skidmore, Scientific Director at the Camel Reproduction Centre, told Gulf News the technique may be used to produce identical twin animals that could act as perfect partners in future studies. She said: “Because the camels are genetically identical, any difference between them is a direct result of the treatment they receive.
“For example, you could give one twin a different type of food … and see which one grows quicker or runs faster. Alternatively you could give them both to different trainers and test them out to see which trainer has the best training technique.”
Dr Skidmore said camel owners and trainers would be interested in learning more about the micro-manipulation technique.
She added: “The Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory in Dubai has studied the camels and confirmed them to be genetically identical.”
Finding taxi ‘is a nightmare on Abu Dhabi streets’
Finding taxi ‘is a nightmare on Abu Dhabi streets’
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: April 10, 2008, 00:28
Abu Dhabi: A sales executive of a bank waited for a taxi for about two hours, from 7pm to 9pm, last Thursday, at the end of Hamdan street but in vain.
“Finally I had to walk for one hour … to reach my flat in Tourist Club Area,” said Fahad Abbas, an Indian.
Even after the introduction of new taxis, such complaints are common among the residents in the city, Gulf News found.
And the scorching sun of the summer adds to their woes, complained many residents.
Woes
Fahad was sharing his worst experience on getting a taxi on Abu Dhabi streets with several others. Weekends are the worst but other days are not different either, said Fahad who commutes every day on taxis to meet his clients all over the city.
“I have to wait for at least half an hour, on average to get a taxi on any street in the city.” Fahad said lunch time is the worst on week days as most of the drivers either go for prayers or a break. “It was okay till March end but now the summer does not allow you to be under the sun in the afternoon,” said Fahad.
Ahmad Sulaiman, an Emirati technician, also echoed the same problem. On average he waits half an hour for taxis. “I have a car but I have to depend on taxis … when the car is in garage.” He said the most difficult time to find a taxi is morning and afternoon. One of my friends told me he had to wait for one and a half hours at Al Maria Cinema, in the afternoon last week, said Sulaiman.
Habib Ali, a Pakistani technician, also said he has waited more than half an hour for taxis several times. “We need more taxis in the city,” said Ali.
Sagar Thonikkadavil, an Indian visitor, said the situation is worse in Abu Dhabi than in Dubai and Sharjah. “When I was in Dubai and Sharjah one month ago, I did not find it much of a problem to find a taxi,” said Thonikkadavil.
Many of the women passengers told Gulf News they found it difficult to wait for the taxis on the streets.
“Last week I waited for 40 minutes on Electra Street in the afternoon for a taxi,” said A.B., who works as a secretary.
Phasing out
Trans AD, Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars in Abu Dhabi, in a statement issued to Gulf News said 200 new taxis will be added to the present fleet of 8,300 taxis in the emirate, including new and old ones.
“We phased out about 700 old Taxis and introduced about 1,000 taxis,” said the statement.
AKCAF to hold business seminar tomorrow
AKCAF to hold business seminar tomorrow
By a staff reporter KHALEEJ TIMES 10 April 2008
DUBAI — All Kerala College Alumni Forum (AKCAF) will hold “AKCAF Business Meet 2008”at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai tomorrow from 4:30 p.m.
The event, to be inaugurated by Mons Joseph, Kerala Minister of Public Works, will be presided over by Mahmood B. A., president of AKCAF.
“The objective of the summit is to bring the Indian business community and members of AKCAF onto one platform to facilitate the interaction and discussion of various aspects related to the current business and investment opportunities in the UAE and Kerala,” said Mahmood.
The event, comprising four sessions, will commence with the inaugural session at 5.00 p.m. Atiq Juma Faraj Naseeb, Director of Commercial Services, Dubai Chamber, will speak on business opportunities in Dubai, followed by felicitation by Raju Menon, Managing Partner, Morison Menon, the presenter of the event. After an overview of the event by Sudhir Kumar of Morison Menon, session two will focus on the Trends and Opportunities in UAE. Captain Saleem Alavi, Director of Business Development, Dubai Maritime City, will give an overview on Maritime Investments, followed by a speech by Jade El Khalil, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Dubai Properties, on opportunities in the Dubai properties market.
In Session 3, panel discussions initiated by Issac John Deputy, Business Editor, Khaleej Times, as moderator, will throw light on various investment perspectives of successful NRI’s, such as Joy Alukkas, Chairman of Alukkas group, Sudhir Gopi, Chairman and MD of Sudhir Gopi Holding, K. V. Shamsudheen, Director of Barjeel Geojit Securities. Some of these elite achievers will narrate their challenges and success stories.
In the closing session, Abbas Ali Mirza, President of the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC), Dubai, will deliver a speech on India vision 2020. K. Kumar, Convener of Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC), will be felicitated for winning the Bharathiya Pravasi Award.
Rajesh Pillai, AKCAF General Secretary, will deliver the welcome speech and Juby Kuruvila, AKCAF Treasurer, will give the vote of thanks. AKCAF Business Meet Conveners, Sasi Kumar Nair and Paul T. Joseph, will chair the technical sessions 2 and 3.
Dh10 million plant will recycle edible oil waste
Dh10 million plant will recycle edible oil waste
By a staff reporter KHALEEJ TIMES 10 April 2008
DUBAI — The Dubai Municipality and Al Serkal Group have announced the launch of a Dh10-million waste treatment facility in Al Aweer, dedicated to recycling edible oil waste from hotels, restaurants and food processing factories. The plant will start functioning early next month.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said the new plant has been constructed in accordance with the highest international standards. It is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery to handle separation of oils and grease accumulated in grease traps and lift stations, and at food processing companies, restaurants, hotels, hospital kitchens and other food-related industries.
These wastes will be collected and transported by trucks to the waste treatment plant, where it will be classified either as hazardous material and sludge, or as recyclable material (re-usable water or oil and dry solids) that will be further treated for future use.
“This is the first treatment plant for edible oil wastes in the entire region. At Dubai Municipality, it’s our policy to join hands with the private sector to set up such ventures,” Lootah said.
The municipality has urged these establishments to abide by the rules and regulations laid down by the civic body. The municipality has asked them to allow only certified companies to collect and transport waste edible oils from the grease trap of food industries to deliver to the new plant.
The treatment plant has been built and managed by Al Serkal Group, on a 15-year build, operate and transfer (BOP) agreement with the municipality.
The new plant will alleviate pressure on the existing station in Al Aweer, and also, will create several job opportunities for those qualified in the field. The plant now has an optimum capacity to treat and process 50 cubic metres of grease and other wastes. In its second phase, capacity will be enhanced to handle 100 cubic metres of wastes.
A circular, issued by the municipality, makes it mandatory for food preparing establishments to instal grease traps and interceptors in their drainage system to separate the fats, oils and grease and maintain them by cleaning regularly.
The circular also stipulates that cleaning, maintenance and transporting of wastes from the grease traps and interceptors need to be carried out by the companies approved and authorised by the municipality and they must deliver these wastes to the Waste Edible Oil Treatment Plant in Al Aweer.
The food establishments are also required to maintain a register in which all data related to the process of getting rid of fats, oils and grease is to be recorded, especially showing the date of their collection and their quantity as well as the name of the company which cleaned and collected the waste oil.
While Al Serkal Group will build and operate the facility, the Dubai Municipality, acting through its Sewage and Environmental divisions, will implement the rules and regulations, supervise all operations and play an active role in implementing and adhering to safety policies.
Burj Dubai is world’s tallest man-made structure
Burj Dubai is world’s tallest man-made structure
Agencies Published: April 07, 2008, 15:57
Dubai: Burj Dubai has surpassed the United States’ KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota to become the world’s tallest man-made structure.
Burj Dubai is now 629 metres high while KVLY-TV, which held the record for the world’s tallest supported structure since 1963, has a height of 628.8 metres.
Burj Dubai is already the world’s tallest building, and at 160 storeys, is taller than Taipei 101 (508 metres) in Taiwan and CN Tower (553.33 metres) in Canada.
Burj Dubai is billed to meet all four criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which classifies the world’s tallest structures.
CTBUH measures the height of buildings to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, the top of the roof and the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flagpole.
The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, is a television transmitting mast, which was completed in 1963.
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