By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

Pre-owned car showrooms along the Salwa Road are facing flak from owners of other commercial establishments in their neighbourhood because of “large-scale encroachment” of parking.
Vehicles from these used car outlets occupy parking space in the area and staff and customers from other commercial outlets are finding it difficult to find parking on the eastern side of the 5km Salwa road stretch starting from Decoration round about and ending at Industrial area inter change.
Other businesses have to fight for parking with the pre-owned vehicle showrooms virtually every day. “Some of them have been cornering virtually all available spots in the vicinity of our office and it leaves us with absolutely no space for our staffers and customers,” said a senior official of a construction firm.
There are between 50 and 60 used car showrooms here and some have cornered all the parking in their neighbourhoods, according to shopkeepers. Most moved to the area over the last 2-3 years, especially after widening work for the expressway commenced.
An official of a used car showroom said many of their customers come from across the border in Saudi Arabia and locations along Salwa Road suit them.
“Being located along Salwa Road which leads towards the country’s land border most of our customers coming from across the border find this place convenient,” said an official. Many customers coming from across the border are driving vehicles for sale to the showrooms and prefer to stick to the vicinity of the outlets.
An official of a furniture showroom said operators make it difficult for others by parking their vehicles incorrectly and even close the exits to Salwa road.
Operators of other outlets said police and municipal authorities should instruct the showroom operators not to park their entire stock.
One of the shopkeepers felt operators of used car showrooms along Salwa Road should preferably shift to places like Barwa Village. Rents are also lower now at the Barwa Village.
Barwa Village, which has plentiful parking, is usually deserted. There are also vacant plots adjacent to the village which can be used for parking.