Commuters in Dubai have welcomed plans for a 15-kilometre long, seven station extension to the Dubai Metro network to be completed in time for Expo 2020. The other Public Communication is not so effective in this route.
The new line, which will include five elevated and two underground stations, is expected to be a major boost for about 250,000 people living in communities close to the proposed links that will connect Dubai World Central Airport Al Maktoum International Airport and the Expo site with the rest of the city. Construction is to begin “as soon as possible”, said the Roads and Transport Agency.Of the new Red Line track, 11km will be elevated, while 4km of the current Nakheel Harbour and Tower station to the Expo site will be underground.
Dubai Metro will serve the Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Dubai Investments Park neighbourhoods, with a journey from Dubai Marina to the Expo site taking 16 minutes. News of the development drew a similar reaction from 21-year-old Yulia Shcherbenas from Ukraine, who also lives in Discovery Gardens and catches the Metro to work in Downtown Dubai.The Route 2020 project was announced on Sunday by the Dubai Government.Once completed, the transport links are predicted to benefit the housing market in areas beyond Dubai Marina, commonly known as New Dubai by Dubai Market.
Rebecca Rees, spokeswoman for Nakheel, the developer behind Discovery Gardens and Ibn Battuta Mall, which is a stop from the proposed station at Nakheel Harbour, said they are expecting greater footfall. Estate agent Gregory Lewis, head of domestic residents at Knight Frank in Dubai, said the Metro extension is the “latest example of Dubai growing out” although it would have to connect to all of the neighbourhoods to make the greatest impact.
Moiz Rahim, 25, from Pakistan, who travels to the Ibn Battuta station each day from his home in Bur Dubai, said extending the network could help reduce the number of cars on the road.Diana Magellano, 27, from the Philippines, who lives in Deira, said she hopes the larger network will open up opportunities for companies as well as jobseekers.
It is expected that at least 100,000 people will be benefitted by the expansion. According to the route, people staying in Discovery Gardens, The Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Islands and Jumeirah Village Triangle areas will be benefited by Dubai Metro.
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