neroshan
02-18-2007, 10:02 PM
Metro will be 'safest and fastest'
http://archive.gulfnews.com/images/06/03/23/23_nation_metrorail_4.jpg
Some 9,000 workers will be involved in the Dubai Metro project construction work, which will be in full swing all over the city in the coming months with minimum disruption to traffic, said a senior official.
Construction work has already started at various locations in Dubai.
"Currently, we are building diaphragm walls, which is the beginning of constructing the underground stations," said Abdul Majeed Khaja, Director of the Dubai Metro Department at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
There will be a total of 43 stations, including nine underground stations.
In an interview with Gulf News, Khaja assured residents the Dh15.5 billion Metro system would be "the most reliable, safe and fastest mode of transport" that one can think of.
"Within the next two months construction of an underground station at Al Rigga and two major intersection stations at BurJuman Square on Khalid Bin Walid Road and at Deira Union Square will start. We will soon have traffic diversions at Al Rigga, Khalid Bin Walid Road and Port Saeed Area," Khaja said.
He said tunnelling work and construction of viaducts would start in November. Traffic diversions will be made to minimise the impact on traffic movement.
"We will hardly have any traffic disruption on Shaikh Zayed Road because the metro line will be elevated and it is being built on the east side of the service corridor.
"I want to give a message to residents to bear with us during the construction time and keep in mind the end result. It is being done for their comfort, for their children and for generations to come," Khaja said.
He said the exterior design of the train had been finalised and they were currently working on its interior.
"It will be luxurious by Dubai standards and will attract passengers from all classes of society," he said.
Khaja said the metro's design team comprised experts who worked on the interior of the Burj Al Arab and Dubai Airport.
"You must remember that we do things differently when we do anything in Dubai. Everyone will say 'wow' and will like to ride the metro leaving his or her car at home," he said.
Children will be taken care of by staff if they are travelling alone.
Khaja said the RTA would decide the fare after studying fares of other mode of transport, including taxis, abra (water taxis) and buses.
There will be an integrated public transport policy and a unified fare will be introduced to help people easily switch from trains to buses to abra or vice versa using the same ticket. Different fare structures following new public transport regulations, which are being formulated, will be set.
Khaja said the number of metro stations will be increased with the city's growth.
"The Green Line, which is designed to run from Al Nahda Street to Healthcare City, will be extended to Jaddaf to provide a link to the upcoming massive development in the area. The Red Line, which will run from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali, will be extended to Jebel Ali Port.
"Like everyone else, I am looking forward to travelling by train in Dubai and leaving my car at home because I want to relax and spend my travelling time doing something constructive," he said
http://archive.gulfnews.com/images/06/03/23/23_nation_metrorail_4.jpg
Some 9,000 workers will be involved in the Dubai Metro project construction work, which will be in full swing all over the city in the coming months with minimum disruption to traffic, said a senior official.
Construction work has already started at various locations in Dubai.
"Currently, we are building diaphragm walls, which is the beginning of constructing the underground stations," said Abdul Majeed Khaja, Director of the Dubai Metro Department at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
There will be a total of 43 stations, including nine underground stations.
In an interview with Gulf News, Khaja assured residents the Dh15.5 billion Metro system would be "the most reliable, safe and fastest mode of transport" that one can think of.
"Within the next two months construction of an underground station at Al Rigga and two major intersection stations at BurJuman Square on Khalid Bin Walid Road and at Deira Union Square will start. We will soon have traffic diversions at Al Rigga, Khalid Bin Walid Road and Port Saeed Area," Khaja said.
He said tunnelling work and construction of viaducts would start in November. Traffic diversions will be made to minimise the impact on traffic movement.
"We will hardly have any traffic disruption on Shaikh Zayed Road because the metro line will be elevated and it is being built on the east side of the service corridor.
"I want to give a message to residents to bear with us during the construction time and keep in mind the end result. It is being done for their comfort, for their children and for generations to come," Khaja said.
He said the exterior design of the train had been finalised and they were currently working on its interior.
"It will be luxurious by Dubai standards and will attract passengers from all classes of society," he said.
Khaja said the metro's design team comprised experts who worked on the interior of the Burj Al Arab and Dubai Airport.
"You must remember that we do things differently when we do anything in Dubai. Everyone will say 'wow' and will like to ride the metro leaving his or her car at home," he said.
Children will be taken care of by staff if they are travelling alone.
Khaja said the RTA would decide the fare after studying fares of other mode of transport, including taxis, abra (water taxis) and buses.
There will be an integrated public transport policy and a unified fare will be introduced to help people easily switch from trains to buses to abra or vice versa using the same ticket. Different fare structures following new public transport regulations, which are being formulated, will be set.
Khaja said the number of metro stations will be increased with the city's growth.
"The Green Line, which is designed to run from Al Nahda Street to Healthcare City, will be extended to Jaddaf to provide a link to the upcoming massive development in the area. The Red Line, which will run from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali, will be extended to Jebel Ali Port.
"Like everyone else, I am looking forward to travelling by train in Dubai and leaving my car at home because I want to relax and spend my travelling time doing something constructive," he said