Al-Obeidaly metal bridge opens today
The newly built Al-Obeidaly metal bridge connecting the E-Ring Road with Doha - Industrial Area road would be opened for traffic today, according to Arrayah newspaper. The metal bridge is built over the Medical Commission Intersection.
The traffic movement through the bridge will start as early as 3am, according to the officials of the company which built the bridge.
Quoting the builders, the newspaper said the bridge was built using advanced machinery, materials and equipment.
The bridge has a single-lane traffic leading to the Industrial Area. It also has provision for parking in the event of an emergency and it would ensure smooth traffic flow, it is felt.
The bridge is considered a temporary solution to ensure smooth traffic flow at the intersection, which has links with both the E-Ring road and Al Muntaza Street. It was built without closing either road.
It is expected that the temporary metal bridge will provide a straight access to vehicles coming from Al Thumama roundabout and going towards Abu Hamour and further to the Industrial Area, without getting caught at the Medical Commission intersection.
The new arrangement is expected to reduce traffic congestion near the roundabout until the completion of the East West corridor project. The corridor, which connects Hamad International Airport with the western side of the country, is expected to be fully ready by early next year.
SEC to celebrate Teachers Day today
The Supreme Education Council will celebrate today the World Teachers’ Day under the theme “Messenger of Science: Thank You.”
The celebration will be held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, at Katara’s building No. 12. Some 103 teachers will be honoured and given certificates of appreciation and prizes.
Minister meets Polish ambassador
HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari met Polish Ambassador to Qatar Krzysztof Suprowicz in Doha yesterday.
The Polish Ambassador handed HE Dr al-Kuwari a message from Polish Minister of Culture Malgorzata Omilanowska.
The message was about signing a cultural agreement between the two countries and boosting cultural relations. It also tackled cultural events scheduled to be held in Qatar and Poland.
Real estate transactions
Transactions between September 21 and 25 for the real estate sales contracts registered at the Ministry of justice are worth QR831,613,172, the real estate registration department at the Ministry said in its weekly report.
Firms penalised for delay in
providing vehicle spare parts
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has recorded violations against seven agencies for exceeding the permissible time limit to provide spare parts for a number of vehicles, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported.
Failure to supply spare parts on time resulted in a delay in providing the required service to customers, the report states.
The MEC told the daily that the seven agencies violated Article 16 of Law No 8 of 2008 regarding consumer protection. The ministry also stressed that it urged vehicle maintenance agencies not to increase the charges levied for regular maintenance jobs and that any rise in prices of materials and services must be decided by a committee, specifying the limit and profit margin through due control mechanisms, according to the report.
The MEC has called upon consumers to report any violations to the Consumer Protection Department, which receives complaints, proposals and enquiries via 8005000 (toll-free line), 44945500 (hotline), 92665 (SMS) and [email protected] (email).
Car wash centres ‘exploiting’
customers
Citizens have accused a section of car wash facilities of “exploiting” clients by increasing service charges in the run-up to Eid al-Adha, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported.
Angry customers have called upon the authorities concerned, especially the Consumer Protection Department, to control the rates charged by car wash centres ahead of Eid, the report states.
They point out that this can be achieved through inspection campaigns on main commercial streets and in other areas where such facilities are located, according to the report.
Some citizens argue that customers accept the high rates due to the absence of adequate alternative options for cleaning their cars. One of them has urged the Consumer Protection Department to intensify inspection campaigns to monitor the car wash centres to prevent “exploitation” of people and take action against any establishment that overcharges customers, the report adds.
Embassy holiday
The Indian embassy will remain closed tomorrow (Thursday) on account of the Gandhi Jayanti, it was announced yesterday.
QMDI to manage QF
research conference
Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI), a joint venture with Qatar Foundation (QF), will manage Qatar Foundation’s Annual Research Conference (ARC’14) for the fourth year running.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, ARC’14 is a leading international science and research conference.
Taking place on 18 and 19 November at the Qatar National Convention Centre, the event will bring together more than 1,000 delegates from around the world for thought-provoking panel discussions and technical presentations, sharing experiences and innovative approaches around the theme ‘Towards World-class Research and Innovation.’
QMDI’s team will form an integral part of executing critical aspects of the conference, from preparation to on-the-ground assistance. This includes crafting the creative concept, along with handling registration, accommodation and the transportation of all international delegates and speakers flying into Qatar from around the world.
The November conference aims to address critical issues such as Qatar’s cyber and water security, solar and renewable energy solutions, health management systems, as well as the social challenges and opportunities facing Qatar and the region.
“By utilising our professional expertise, we will ensure QMDI’s key services are delivered with precision and perfection,” said QMDI CEO & chairman Hamad bin Khalifa al-Nasser.
Dr Nabeel al-Salem, executive director of Outreach and Communications at QF R&D acknowledged: “QMDI is a trusted partner, and we look forward to working with them to organise a creative, successful and productive ARC’14 and build on the achievements from last year’s event.”
“This conference provides a unique platform for international, regional and local scientific communities to activate multidisciplinary knowledge sharing and collaboration needed to tackle the most pressing national challenges in research, as well as bolster Qatar’s research and development sector,” he added.