Asked about the feasibility of the heavy-investment project vis-à-vis its returns even in the long run, Mr Sultan agreed that the returns would not have justified if the project was entirely invested in by the government.

"The project is a heavy investment undertaking, and keeping this in mind private investors were sought. There are total nine investors behind the rail project, which comprehensive studies have proved to be absolutely feasible," Mr Sultan revealed.

He added: "We have been working on this project for the past five years and much has gone into studying it from all angles. We know it is feasible, and we are not just talking about an idea in thin air."

According to Mr Sultan, the civic body is currently involved in various primary investigations and analysis of soil by way of bore holing, especially considering the fact that a part of the rail project would be underground. "We have already nominated contractors for the project, which is likely to take off by the end of 2005," he said replying to a question on the project's time schedule.

Speaking about the reasons that prompted the civic body to opt for the mass transit system, Mr Sultan said that the benefits arising out of the rail project are immense and obvious. "The project, which will be complete and operational by 2010, will reduce the number of cars on Dubai's roads considerably thereby facilitating traffic movement and increasing road safety. Not to be forgotten is the fact that it will be a very environmental-friendly mass transit system," he said, adding that there will also be considerable reduction in pollution.

Ruling out the possibility of any major modifications in the project in terms of routes, costs and construction time schedule, Mr Sultan said that he "is 99 per cent sure the project would go through," and added that it would be complete only when it is ready on the ground.

"And I can say without a second thought that once complete, it will be the best of its kind in the world," Mr Sultan said about the rail project.

Fast facts on the fast track

The rail project will comprise of a 72km track, from the American University in Jebel Ali to the edge of the emirate at Salahuddin Road, and from the Dubai Festival City to the vicinity of central Dubai.

The project involves construction of two separate lines dubbed the Green Line and the Red Line. The entire project is expected to cost around Dh8 billion.

About 30 per cent of the rail project would be underground, while the remaining would be on tracks elevated above the ground. The underground system will be implemented in the interior part of the city to preserve the beauty of Dubai, while elevated tracks would be built in the external parts of the emirate.

There would be a total of 55 stations across the Emirate of Dubai, each built at one to three kilometre gaps.

There would be about 99 trains each with five compartments, including first class and special for women and children.

The trains would be automated and 'driverless'.

On an average the train fares are likely to be competitive between Dh2 to Dh10. There are also plans to use the rail network for goods train at night to make the project more feasible.

While the network's carrying capacity would be around 40,000 to 50,000 passengers per hour, plans are being built around a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction to begin with.

The mass transit system will meet the public transport demand till well beyond 2020.