The issue of encroachment of public property, such as pavements or empty plots of land, by portacabins needs to be addressed promptly, local daily Arrayah has reported, quoting concerned citizens and residents.
Portacabins of different sizes outside villas have become a common sight in residential areas across the country. These, sometimes lacking basic safety measures, are often used by locals as accommodation or resting places for drivers and male domestic workers.
A number of locals and expatriates have raised concern over this practice, saying it should not be tolerated as it is a clear infringement of the rights of road users and may also cause accidents as they prevent smooth movement on streets, the report points out.
A source at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning told the daily that violations pertaining to portacabins carried a penalty of QR6,000 and removal of the cabin at the expense of the violator.
This is also applicable to unauthorised covered parking lots and tents. The source said violators are first given a warning to remove the said object. If they do not comply on time, the municipality would remove it and the violator would be fined QR6,000 and also charged the cost of removal.
