
Dubai traffic to ease: RTA completes road improvements in Business Bay
The upgrades focus on traffic flow and road safety in Business Bay, serving residents, visitors, and businesses in the district, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement, adding that the area contains residential, commercial, and service facilities.
The improvements form part of a plan to develop infrastructure and enhance road network efficiency in Business Bay. The works support Dubai's population growth and urban expansion.
Dubai's Business Bay gets traffic flow upgrades from RTA
The completed improvements deliver traffic flow, safety, and travel times for road users in high-density areas.
RTA converted the street parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road from a two-lane, two-way configuration into a one-way dual roadway. The authority updated signage and road markings as part of this work.
The adjustment reduced traffic overlap points and increased the street's capacity by 100 per cent. The changes improve traffic flow whilst enhancing road safety and ensuring movement for road users.
A 100-metre storage lane was added at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street with Al Khaleej Al Tejari 1 Street. The addition increases right-turn capacity towards First Al Khail Street by up to 50 per cent.
The measure reduces congestion, shortens waiting times, and boosts the intersection's capacity and level of service.
RTA reorganised the service road parallel to Al Mustaqbal Street near the towers. An lane was introduced to accommodate traffic volumes.
This step increased road capacity by 50 per cent and reduced traffic conflicts, enhancing traffic movement.
The authority expanded the entry point to the bridge on Al Mustaqbal Street over the canal in the direction of First Al Khail Street. The expansion increases capacity from one lane to two, doubling capacity.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Can car rental companies charge drivers for stains, regular wear and tear?
Question: I rented a car on a long-term basis. When I returned it, there were some stains on the seats, as could be expected from regular wear and tear. Can the company now charge me for cleaning those stains? Answer: In the UAE, car rental and leasing services are regulated under Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 on Traffic Regulation. According to Article 29 of this law, rental companies must be licensed by the relevant authority and are obligated to ensure that the renter holds a valid driving licence recognised in the UAE. Here's what Article 29 says: '1. Vehicles shall be rented and leased in accordance with the provisions of this Decree-Law and the legislation in force in the State in this regard. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 2. Vehicle rental activity may not be practised unless a licence is obtained from the Competent Authorities. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the conditions for practising vehicle rental activity. 3 .Companies licensed to engage in vehicle rental activities shall ensure the validity of driving licences approved in the State, duplicated or recognised by the renter, in accordance with the controls and procedures specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law. 4. The Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law shall determine the controls for renting vehicles, the obligations of the drivers of these vehicles, and the procedures for registering them.' Assuming you rented a car from a company based in Dubai, there are additional local regulations that apply. All car rental companies in Dubai are required to return consumers' credit card holds and other deposits within 30 days of the vehicle's return. This directive comes from the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade, which operates under the Department of Economy and Tourism. In accordance with these, when it comes to cleaning charges, whether or not you're liable depends largely on the terms of your rental agreement. While some level of wear and tear (such as minor stains or signs of regular use) is generally expected, the rental company may be entitled to deduct a reasonable amount for cleaning. You may review the rental agreement you signed with the rental company, particularly any clauses related to vehicle condition upon return and cleaning fees. Typically, such incidental costs — like cleaning or minor damage — are covered by your security deposit. If you feel the charges are unreasonable or were not clearly disclosed, you can request a detailed breakdown from the rental company. If the issue remains unresolved, you may also consider reaching out to the relevant consumer protection authority for further assistance.


The National
an hour ago
- The National
‘Chance of getting our money back looks grim': UAE investors lose funds to UK asset manager
Investors from the UAE who put their funds into UK-based asset manager 79th Group are now trying to retrieve their money, after the company was placed into administration. The company sold structured loan notes secured against properties to investors and promised high annual returns ranging from 15 per cent to 18 per cent. The company claimed it used investor funds to buy properties in distress sales, refurbish them, sell them at a profit and make payouts. The 79th Group, which describes itself as a real estate and wealth management company, is being investigated by the City of London Police on suspicion of fraud. The company has denied any wrongdoing. Its website is down, and 79th Group closed its Dubai office, which opened in 2023, in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre. Its directors are listed as David Webster, Curtis Webster and Jake Webster. Attempts by The National to get a response from the company owner and administrators were unsuccessful. The company has not met DMCC's compliance requirements and would currently not be able to renew their licence, the free zone authority told The National. The company has vacated its office in the DMCC district, it added. 'It was a high-risk investment' KR, an Abu Dhabi-based investor, said he was approached by a Dubai financial adviser who proposed the structured loan notes for investment. He invested Dh400,000 ($108,917) into the loan notes. 'It was a high-risk investment, which, unfortunately, turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. I received the first tranche of the returns, but the company defaulted before paying the second tranche and the principal amount,' he said. KR said he knows of people in the UAE who have lost millions of dirhams 'Our investor group has reported this to Action Fraud [the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime]. We also reached out to banks to see if they can recall the funds from the receiver bank, but we did not get a satisfactory response. "We then elevated the issue to Sanadak, the UAE Central Bank's ombudsman body, but the response was not optimal. The receiver bank said the funds had been frozen since the company was placed in administration.' SS, a Dubai-based investor, was introduced to structured loan notes from the 79th Group by a financial adviser. Although he recognised there was risk involved, he transferred Dh50,000 to the company's local bank account to buy the product. 'I was offered 16 per cent, to be paid across two tranches on a half-yearly basis. But I didn't receive my first tranche of interest payment,' he said. 'Getting the money back looks very grim. Unfortunately, from the latest updates from the administrators, it looks like they have a zero balance or negative balance book.' Legal hurdles 'Administration is a formal insolvency procedure under UK law. When a company is placed in administration, control of the company passes from its directors to licensed insolvency practitioners [the administrators],' says Ahmed Kamran, associate at law firm BSA. 'The main objectives are to rescue the company as a going concern, achieve a better result for creditors than immediate liquidation, or realise property to make a distribution to secured or preferential creditors.' Once in administration, the company's assets are protected from legal action by creditors. The administrators assess the company's assets and liabilities and attempt to maximise returns for creditors, Mr Kamran says. Creditors must submit claims to the administrators, who will then determine the validity and amount of each claim, he adds. Recovery is often challenging in these situations, according to Mr Kamran. How to submit a recovery claim UAE investors should contact the administrators as soon as possible to register themselves as creditors and to receive updates on the process. They will need to submit a formal claim to the administrators, he instructs. 'This document details the amount owed and the basis for the claim. Supporting documentation, such as investment contracts and correspondence, should be included,' Mr Kamran says. 'The administrators are required to keep creditors informed about the progress of the administration, including the likelihood and timing of any repayments.' He suggests investors can form groups and potentially pursue collective legal action. This can increase leverage and reduce costs. Mr Kamran says the likelihood of fund recovery depends on several factors, including the value of the company's remaining assets, the total amount owed to all creditors, and the specific terms of the investment. He says the UK insolvency law sets out a strict order of priority for repayment. Secured creditors with fixed charges have security over specific assets and are paid first from the proceeds of those assets. In cross-border investment fraud and insolvency cases, the administration process may result in minimal or no recovery for unsecured creditors, so a 'more fruitful' strategy is to pursue legal claims against third parties who may have facilitated or endorsed the scheme. This includes regulated financial advisers, unlicensed introducers, promoters and marketing firms, corporate service providers, legal or compliance consultants involved in structuring or distributing the products, Mr Kamran says. 'These third parties may be civilly liable for misrepresentation, negligence, breach of regulatory obligations, or knowing participation in fraudulent schemes,' he says. Red flags It can be difficult to identify red flags if you are not an experienced investor or dealing with a new market, according to Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching. Red flags Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns. Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards. Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials. Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult. Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals. Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching 'Many investors are drawn in by the fear of missing out or the desire to secure their financial future, especially in locations like the UAE, where there's a high expatriate population seeking ways to grow wealth without traditional pension systems,' she says. Alison Soltani, founder of Leap Savvy Savers, warns that the biggest sign to watch out for is the promise of high and unrealistic returns. 'Another sign to be aware of is when terms and conditions are not clear and transparent. Any fees levied on you should be outlined clearly, and you should be able to ask questions of the company and receive clarity in the response you are given,' Ms Soltani recommends. 'Finally, if a sense of urgency is placed on you to part with your money, this is a major red flag. Fraudsters want you to transfer your money before you can think too logically about the situation and evaluate the company.'


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai landlords convert flats to holiday homes after damage from illegal partitions
An increasing number of landlords and property owners in Dubai are converting their units into holiday homes in response to damage caused by illegal partitioning and costly structural alterations by tenants. In June, the Dubai Municipality and Dubai Land Department launched a crackdown on unauthorised partitions, particularly in areas like Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat, Al Satwa, and Al Raffa, citing serious safety concerns. As a result, some landlords have spent as much as Dh45,000 to remove illegal modifications made by tenants. 'We've seen more owners, especially in Dubai Marina, switching to holiday homes after tenants illegally partitioned units or refused to vacate. For many, it's about control and peace of mind, not just profit. With holiday homes, you keep possession, avoid eviction headaches, and your property stays in better condition — something long-term tenants can't always guarantee,' said Shilpa V Mahtani, co-founder and CEO of bnbme holiday homes. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Rohit Bachani, co-founder of Merlin Real Estate, confirmed the trend, noting a clear shift among landlords toward holiday homes or serviced apartments. 'Since the recent enforcement drive against illegal subletting and partitioning, we've seen more landlords choosing professional holiday-home management or converting to serviced apartments. The logic is control. With Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism's permits and professional operators, owner access is easier, guest numbers are monitored, and there's far less risk of a tenant quietly carving up a unit,' said Bachani. Advantages According to Bachani, the increase in holiday home conversions is especially evident in areas like Downtown, Dubai Marina, and the Creek corridor, where daily and weekly bookings are strong and regulatory compliance is straightforward. He outlined three primary advantages of using properties as holiday homes rather than renting them out long-term to tenants who might sublet: 'First, compliance and control. Holiday homes sit under Dubai's permit framework with inspections and clear guest limits, which naturally shuts the door on partitioning. Secondly, professional operators give owners live calendars, ID-verified bookings, and housekeeping logs, which you never get with a risky subletting tenant. Thirdly, regular cleans and check-out inspections keep units in better condition than a long let that's been informally sublet to five or six unrelated occupants.' Higher returns Humaira Vaqqas, a property consultant at Range International Properties, noted that some landlords have transitioned to holiday homes or serviced apartments to maintain cash flow. 'Facing financial strain, landlords who relied on partitioned rentals for higher returns may be struggling with reduced income until they find compliant tenants. It will have an impact on the real estate sector to grow more positively,' Humaira added. Commenting on profitability, Bachani explained that while gross revenue from holiday homes can be higher in tourist-driven areas — especially during peak seasons — the actual net return depends on several factors. 'Net returns depend on occupancy, operator fees, utilities, and furnishing. In Downtown, Marina, Palm, and Creek Harbour, well-run holiday homes can outperform a standard annual lease on a like-for-like unit, but the spread narrows once you add costs. In purely residential sub-markets with modest tourist demand, a steady annual lease to a family can still be the better net outcome. It's market-by-market and operator-by-operator,' he said. Shilpa added that over a three-year period, a well-managed holiday home often delivers better returns — even with today's elevated rents. 'Especially if the operator isn't reliant solely on online travel agents and has alternative strategies,' she noted.