NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies
Public transport likely to be run on CNG in Dubai
DUBAI — MAY 07: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) may introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel for public transport in the emirate, a senior RTA official said yesterday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the signing of an agreement between the RTA and Emirates Gas whereby the latter would be converting engines of three abras and supplying them with CNG, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and the Executive Director of the RTA, said the plan was being discussed at the moment and would be looked into after a trial period.
"Right now, we are starting off with abras. At present, CNG is not available in Dubai, but one can get it in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Emirates Gas, a subsidiary of the Emirates National Oil Company, and RTA have signed an agreement according to which they would be converting three abras to CNG within six months.
"This is being done on an experimental basis. If successful, the RTA will be signing yet another contract with them in accordance with which all abras would be converted. If the whole project is successful, we would be looking at the public transport vehicles as well. They could also be changed into CNG efficient vehicles," said Tayer.
At present, there are 149 abras operating in the Dubai Creek which consume almost 400,000 gallons of diesel. RTA officials added abra operators would also be briefed on the importance of CNG and its advantages.
Essa Al Dossari, CEO of the Marine Transport Agency of the RTA, said there would be mobile filling stations. "Safety and security rules have to be ensured in accordance with the international standards. Abra operators will be trained in the use of CNG in their abras," he said.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Dh550,000.
Emirates Gas will be funding the experimental phase of the project and periodical reports will be made by the two parties on the progress of the project. Conclusions and findings will be outlined to sort out the problems encountered during the execution of the project.
Speaking about the advantages of using CNG, Al Tayer said, "It is economically feasible compared with diesel. It is expected to reduce the fuelling cost by 30 per cent and also bring pollution resulting from diesel operated engines of abras by 66 per cent. It will curb emission of harmful gases such as Carbon Dioxide from engine exhausts of abras. The maintenance work is also easier. Oil leaks will also be avoided," he said.
Hussein Sultan, CEO of ENOC, said there were few vehicles in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi which were using CNG. "We are looking for CNG in Dubai as well. If the project is a success, we could also see CNG fuel efficient vehicles in Dubai," he said.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Building catches fire on Dubai’s manmade Palm sland
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - May 07: A fire broke out on Sunday in a building under construction on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah resort island, injuring at least three people and sending clouds of smoke towering over the city’s beachfront neighbourhoods. The fire started in the basement of an unfinished eight-story building amid a cluster of apartment towers on the trunk of the manmade Gulf island that is shaped like a date palm tree.
Hundreds of labourers were evacuated from the scene. One construction worker was hospitalised and two others treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, officials said. Work halted on building sites across the island, which began opening its newly built luxury mansions to residents this year.
State-owned developer Nakheel said in a statement that the fire ignited building materials on the site. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about two hours.
The 31-square-kilometer (12-square-mile) island group has about 14,000 laborers building an offshore neighbourhood that will house more than 100,000 residents and workers when finished by 2011.
The Palm Jumeirah is part of a US$14 billion (Ð10.32 billion) project to build several manmade islands in what’s billed as the largest land-reclamation project in the world, involving the hauling of millions of tons of Gulf sand and quarried rock.
Dubai’s government expects the Palm Jumeirah to become a signature tourist attraction, bringing in as many as 20,000 daily visitors.
The island’s trunk section, its 17 ¢fronds” and its outer crescent are studded with thousands of homes and apartments, most of which are still under construction. Britons and other Europeans have bought a large portion of the homes as vacation properties.
Also being built is the Trump Tower and Hotel, developed by New York-based Donald Trump, and the 1,500-room Atlantis Hotel by South Africa and Dubai-owned Kerzner International. The hotel will be similar to its Atlantis hotel in The Bahamas.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Dubai students floored by Kalam's simplicity
DUBAI — May 07: The 35 Dubai-based students, who had gone to India to meet Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam last week have come back totally awed and overwhelmed by their visit.
The students, from Dubai Modern High School, say they were humbled by their experience and believe that the 45-minute interaction with President Kalam would be etched in their minds for a long time to come.
The first thing that struck young Nikita Philip from Grade VII was that a man of his stature did not have any airs about himself, but “simply behaved like any other person”. "He seemed so comfortable with us and among children. I really liked his down-to-earth personality," she says enthusiastically.
"It was a rather intellectual experience given that we were talking to the first citizen of India. Were awed by the simplicity of his mind and his demeanour," says Adhitya Srinivasan of Grade XII.
Inspired by the President's emphasis on the power of the youth and the power of dreams, the students believe that their brief encounter with one of India's scientists has left a deep impact on their minds. After reading and researching about him extensively, the face-to-face meeting, according to the students, has only reiterated their conviction in President Kalam's vision for India.
Besides the pupils, even the school's principal Darryl Bloud describes his trip as an “amazing experience”. "He's a teacher at heart and has a lesson for everyone. His friendliness made us feel at home," says the principal after his first meeting with the President of India.
The students and the faculty were given a two-hour tour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan before their meeting with President Kalam on May 3.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Indian dies on board aircraft
DUBAI — May 07: A Hyderabad-bound Indian Airlines flight from Dubai was forced to make a landing at the Mumbai Airport after a passenger died on board the aircraft, a top official of the airlines said yesterday.
"The pilot decided to re-route the IC 952 flight to Mumbai after 51-year-old Surya Narayana Murthy complained of feeling sick," Abhay Pathak, Regional Manager of Indian Airlines, Gulf Region, told Khaleej Times.
"The aircraft left Dubai at around 12.30am on Saturday and was flying closer to Mumbai when the passenger's condition deteriorated. The matter was informed to airport authorities in Mumbai. Doctors at the airport rushed to the aircraft immediately after it landed. However, they pronounced Murthy dead upon arrival," Pathak said.
He added: "According to the doctors, Murthy was suffering from acute jaundice. But we were not aware of his condition. We provided the best possible assistance to him."
The body of the deceased was shifted to Cooper Hospital in Mumbai. His wife, who was in Dubai, was informed about the tragedy.
"Murthy's body was flown to Hyderabad yesterday. We gave free ticket to his wife to travel to Hyderabad from Dubai. She left for Hyderabad yesterday," Pathak added.
Pathak further said that Murthy was accompanied by another passenger at the Dubai International Airport and they had asked for a wheelchair. "Normally a passenger needs to provide medical certificate for availing himself of the wheelchair but Murthy was not holding any documents. But we still provided him a wheelchair on the humanitarian ground," Pathak added.
Anand Pande, Country Manager of Indian Airlines in the UAE said, "According to the International Civil Aviation Law, medical support should be provided by the airport authorities. Indian Airlines provided all possible assistance to Murthy."
KHALEEJ TIMES
Indian stars breathe easy
DUBAI — May 07: Bollywood actors Kunal Kapoor and Lara Datta have one thing in common. They both breathe easy. Thanks to the Art of Living!
The duo, who are in the city to promote The Art of Living, made an exclusive stop at the Khaleej Times office yesterday. The Art of Living, which is reportedly followed by 20 million people worldwide, offers programmes that it claims help eliminate stress.
Lara Datta, a former Miss Universe, radiated peace as she spoke about how it had changed her life and career in a positive manner. Lara and Kunal, who is known for his stellar performance in the acclaimed Bollywood film 'Rang De Basantí', shared their personal experience with the management staff at Khaleej Times.
'It's the best way to de-stress. With the busy schedules of my work, I have been going through immense pressure. But the Art of Living has helped me to beat the stress and I am able to enjoy my working hours,' said Lara.
The duo were joined by celebrity Art of Living teacher Sangheetha Jani, who further explained the fundamental techniques of the system.
Lara and Kunal also shared their fascination for Dubai. 'This is my first visit to Dubai. I had an image about this city. But the growth of this city is beyond my imagination,' Kunal said.
Lara observed Dubai as a melting point of cultures. 'I appreciate the Rulers of this country for encouraging the people to live in harmony,' she said.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Dubai - Five-hour kidnap horror
Dubai - May 07: A female student told the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday she nearly threw herself from a moving car after being subjected to a horrific five-hour ordeal when two men kidnapped her. The young lady also claimed the pair sexually molested her during the ordeal.
“They both molested me for five hours after taking off my clothes and I opened the car willing to jump because I couldn’t do anything,” she told the court. The woman says she was abducted after calling one of the suspects, a taxi driver, to give her a lift to Muraqabat. She was shocked when the second accused arrived as well, but was reassured by the driver and got into the vehicle.
However, as they drove out on to Al Ain Road, she claimed one of the men began to rip her clothes off and pleaded with her to have sex with him. The victim then tried to jump out of the car but the man allegedly prevented her exit by grabbing hold of her. As she struggled, a following car saw the woman’s leg sticking out of the door and began to give chase. The accused deny the charges and the trial has now been adjourned until a later date.
SEVEN DAYS