Dubai Metro – Cutting edge technology underground
The Dubai Metro is acclaimed as a wonder of the modern world, amazing with the technological advancements and creativity. It is a fully automated driverless metro network with most modern amenities for the travelers in Dubai city of the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Metro is the first urban train service in the Arabian Peninsula. All trains, platforms and stations are fully air conditioned.
At present part of the network known as Red Line is operational and a second part the Green Line is under construction. In this Dubai metro further lines are also planned. Red lines and Green lines originate in the heart of the city and runs through elevated viaducts elsewhere. The Red Line section consists of 10 stations and this line was inaugurated by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai on September 9, 2009.
Statistics puts more credibility for the Dubai Metro. More than 100 thousand commuters, about 10% of the Dubai population, used the metro in the first two days of its inauguration. The record is to come, by the opening of the green lines, Dubai metro network will become the World’s largest automated network surpassing the record of the Vancouver Skytrain. When completed, Dubai Metro will have a total length of 70 km covering 47 stations.
The severe traffic congestion in the Dubai city and the growth in population necessitated the construction of Dubai metro. The design and planning of this great endeavor started in the beginning of this decade under the directive of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the respectful Dubai ruler. It is expected that it will attract 15 million travelers to Dubai by 2010. This metro can boost the developments of the Dubai and its populaces.
Dubai Rail Link (DURL) consortium consisting of Japanese companies like Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kajima Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, and Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi got the contract worth AED 12.45 billion/US$ 3.4 billion in May 2005 for the design and construction. The first phase construction was for 35 km consisting of the Red Line between the Jebel Ali Free Zone and Al Rashidiya, which was inaugurated recently. The operation of the Dubai Metro is by Serco under the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority contract.
The master plan for a larger network is on the anvil. This master plan by the Roads and Transport Authority includes 270 km of tram lines and 320 km of metro lines to be constructed by 2020. It is expected that the funding will come from government as well as the private companies. After finishing the Metro project Dubai Real Estate market will be even more attractive to investors. The dream plan of the entire Dubai Metro network divided into Yellow, Orange, Magenta and Black lines apart from Red, green and blue lines will open scores and scores of investment and job opportunities in Dubai.
