Shopkeepers at Al Attiyah Market in the Industrial Area and people living in its vicinity have urged the authorities concerned to urgently repair roads in the neighbourhood.
The appeal comes in the wake of last week’s rain, which left a number of streets in the area waterlogged and muddy. This, along with potholes on the roads, has made both pedestrian and vehicular movement difficult in the area and people are finding it difficult to access shops there, say traders.
The market is a major commercial and retail hub and is frequented by a large number of people. Residents of several housing units in the Industrial Area rely on shops in and around the Al Attiyah Market to meet their daily needs.
Besides supermarkets, the area also houses banks, money exchange houses and other establishments, which are visited by hundreds of people every day, it is learnt.
The area’s automobile accessories shops are frequented by people from different parts of Doha and beyond. Besides, the neighbouring streets host several automobile workshops.
However, the visitors find it difficult to drive or walk in the area due to the poor condition of roads there, especially after every spell of rain, say shopkeepers.
One of the affected roads is Street 23. Waterlogging and muddy conditions were found at a number of spots along the road after the rain, according to residents.
“Poor drainage has always been a cause for concern among those running commercial establishments as well as residents of the area as there is both water and waste accumulation on the streets after it rains. Waterlogging has lasted for more than a month on a number of occasions following a spell of rain,” said a resident of the area.   
Owing to the poor condition of roads, a number of commercial establishments and labour housing facilities have been relocated to other places, including Umm Salal, from the Industrial Area over the past 2-3 years, according to sources, who add that the neighbourhood continues to be a busy and important commercial hub due to the presence of a large number of workshops and other facilities.
“The roads need urgent attention. While a lot of infrastructure work is being carried out in and around the Industrial Area, this neighbourhood requires immediate attention,” said a resident.