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29 March 2024

My morning commute was slashed by 45 minutes with new Salik gates

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

Early morning commuters from Sharjah and Al Nahda woke up to two new Salik tollgates in Dubai, adding the monthly expense towards their cars.

But not everyone took the additional Dh8 daily expense as a burden.

ADCB employee Mamta Bachani spoke to Emirates 24|7, saying: “My morning drive to work from Sharjah’s Rolla area to Bur Dubai easily takes an hour and 15 minutes to weave through rush-hour traffic.

“Today, that drive took 35 minutes. The new Al Mamzar Salik tollgate cut my morning commute time by nearly 45 minutes.”

Her colleagues who commuted from Sharjah and Al Qusais also reported a minimum 30-minute reduction in the drive to work.

Click here to read: Salik at Midnight: 'Smooth sailing' report early commuters

On Twitter, people such as Harsha Sripada tweeted: “If traffic in airport tunnel flows like today, it’s worth paying Salik.”

However, those who used the alternative, non-Salik routes, reported unprecedented traffic conditions in the internal arteries.

Nilanjan Anand, who drives to Sheikh Zayed Road every morning from Sharjah, said: “I usually take the Mohammed bin Zayed Road to work and the drive takes me 45 minutes at best. Today, I left 30 minutes earlier, expecting more traffic on the road, and I still arrived at work 15 minutes later.

“Salik may be welcomed by some, but for some of us using the alternate routes are now suffering in the bargain.”

Reports also saw Al Khail exit facing heavy congestion.

Barhoom tweeted: “Congestion on Hessa Street coming from Al Khail exit after the Umm Suqeim exit towards Jumeirah.”

Meanwhile, Bur Dubai and Karama also faced heavier than usual traffic conditions, with one morning commuter, K.S., saying: “I expect we are facing the onslaught of those extra cars exiting from Al Shindagah Tunnel, who were trying to avoid the two new Salik tollgates.

“Combine that with the schools reopening this week and we have a heady combination of major jams along the way.”

As of midnight, two new Salik tollgates went live today, one at Al Mamzar on the Dubai-Sharjah highway, and the other just before the mouth of the Airport Tunnel.

ALSO READ:

Salik at Midnight: 'Smooth sailing' report early commuters


Two new Salik gates open in Dubai today