Federal Networks have always been a challenge to the people of UAE and the authority is now trying to improve the same in coming times. The authority has decided to connect the seven emirates in all possible ways before the Dubai Expo 2020.
In the next two years, the UAE will focus heavily on upgrading federal and inter-city road networks with improved signages, setting revised speed limits, and installation of sensors and smart traffic lights. Dr Nuaimi spoke exclusively to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit, 2015 in Leipzig, Germany.
The three-day summit started in Leipzig, Germany on May 27. The ITF is an inter-governmental organisation with 57 member states within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Pressing issues such as emissions from the transportation sector, road deaths, and under-utilization of sustainable forms of transportation, especially railways was discussed at length by leaders in the transportation sector. Over 1,000 participants from 70 countries across the globe participated in the first day of the summit. The UAE is not yet a member state of the ITF but Dr Nuaimi stated that the delegation from the UAE has been participating in the conference for three years now.
Speaking about the possibility of an inter-city metro line in UAE, Nuaimi said that it is very much a possibility and he sees in becoming a reality in the near future. “The Etihad rail project is going as planned and it is being done only because it is a pressing requirement for a rail line. The GCC railway line too is going as per plan. There has been no overstepping the budget on our part, or any of the other GCC nations as well. By the end of the year, there will be a meeting of GCC ministers of transport where we will review our plans and come up with a common announcement on that date,” said Nuaimi. Considerable growth is expected before Dubai Expo 2020.
However, Dr Nuaimi said that the UAE delegation has benefitted massively from the forum and the ITF has shown keen interest in involving UAE as a member state and it is only a matter of time that the Emirates will take the necessary steps to become part of the organisation keeping the Dubai Expo 2020 in foucs.
Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Balhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport said that the main emirates like Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Shahrjah have done well in terms of transportation due to heavy demand. However, this has to be translated to the federal network. However, he insisted that everything will be done on the basis of demand and not for sake of doing. The target of federal network is Dubai Expo 2020.
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