Metro service hours may 
be extended

DUBAI — The Roads and Transports Authority (RTA) is examining the feasibility of extending the working hours of Dubai Metro during and after Eid, in pursuance of the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the board of directors and CEO of the RTA, said the shopping malls will open round-the-clock during the Eid Al Adha holidays.

He pointed out the strategic value of the decision in terms of boosting the influx of the tourists to the emirate, which puts the authority in a position of responsibility to cope with the expected numbers of visitors. He underlined the capability of the RTA and its preparedness in fulfilling its obligations, keeping in line with the expected increase in number of users of roads and transport facilities.

A specialist committee will be coordinating the activities in the authority and will work on coordination with the different means of transport to help easy flow of the traffic on special occasions, which draw massive number of visitors.

“The RTA is busily engaged in setting up a full-fledged system to ensure the highest levels of security and safety of the road users and public transport commuters in Dubai,” he said.

He said the crisis centre is one of the major components, which support the efficiency of operation and public safety on Dubai roads and means of transport. The centre serves as a catalytic unit for control and surveillance, through which the vehicular traffic could be seen and monitored on the emirate’s main streets. The centre, according to him, is linked to 200 surveillance cameras fixed on the emirate’s roads, thus giving the authority the capability to monitor the flow of traffic on the roads.

He said: “Dubai Metro and the stations along both the Red Line and the Green Line are covered by about 5,000 surveillance cameras, to ensure the highest standards of operation and safety and convenience of the passengers. This confirms quick and immediate intervention in case of occurrence of any problem.”

Bridges project

All key bridges being constructed at the interchanges of Al Khail Road Widening Project will be opened from next month until the end of the year, said Mattar Al Tayer. Work on the rest of the sub-flyovers will be completed in the first half next year. Completion of work rate on the interchanges was more than 95 per cent, while the cost is estimated at Dh1.925 billion.

Al Khail Road Widening project is considered among the key projects currently undertaken by the RTA, and due to its massive scope, it was divided into four phases. The importance of the project is underlined by the fact that it represents an extension of the Business Bay Crossing and enables the RTA to create an auxiliary traffic corridor supporting both the Shaikh Zayed and Emirates roads; which account for high traffic volumes.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE