Dubai completes preparations to secure NYE celebrations

Dubai's Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events has completed its preparations for ensuring safe and secure New Year celebrations in the emirate.

The Committee is working closely with 48 different entities to ensure smooth proceedings.

A total of 10,597 personnel, 5,800 security guards, 1,420 volunteers, 3,651 patrols and vehicles, and 45 boats, have been deployed across the 30 locations where celebrations and firework displays will take place.

A smart plan has been created by the Dubai Police in partnership with with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to ease traffic movement and mobility, with about 10,000 cameras to be used by the Enterprise Command and Control Centre of the RTA for the surveillance of roads.

The details were revealed during a press conference held at the Emaar Operations Room, which was led by Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police and Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events in Dubai.

Others in attendance included Ahmad Thani Al Matrooshi, Board Member, Emaar Properties, Brig. Expert Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, Assistant Director General of Dubai Civil Defence for Fire and Rescue, Mishaal Abdul Karim Julfar, Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Badr Al Sayiri, Executive Director of Traffic Department at the RTA, and Ahmed Al Ghafli, Director of the Security Department at Nakheel, in addition to members of the Committee and various other officials.

Major General Al Mazrouei urged the public to cooperate with the police and adhere to traffic instructions to avoid congestion.

Those requiring assistance can call Dubai Police on 999 for emergencies and 901 for non-emergencies.

Public routes

Three dedicated routes have been allocated for the public to reach the Burj Khalifa area using Dubai Metro.

The first route from the Burj Khalifa station is divided into two paths, one for families heading to the Island Park and the area behind the Tower View, and the second for other groups heading to the South Ridge from where revellers can enjoy the fireworks.

The second route is from the Financial Centre station with a path dedicated for families heading to the Boulevard area, and another path for other groups heading to the South Riddge area. The third route provides a direct path from the Business Bay station.

The Committee has developed an integrated plan to streamline access for metro users to the locations of fireworks. The plan includes separate paths for families and after-show exit routes and fire exits for emergencies.

"The Burj Khalifa station and the metro link, which connects to the Dubai Mall, will be closed at 17:00 or when the numbers exceed the capacity of the station. Specific routes have been set out for shoppers and spectators inside the Dubai Mall," said Al Mazrouei.

Emaar celebrations

Al Matrooshi said the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed at 6:00 pm, which requires people who have bookings at hotels or restaurants to arrive before that time.

He added that Dubai Mall’s parking will be available till it reaches its maximum capacity. Members of the public will not be able to access parking areas after the closure of the surrounding roads.

Dubai Civil Defence preparations

Brig. Al Mutawa said that the Civil Defence teams have divided the sites of festivities into three main sectors - Deira, Bur Dubai, and Jebel Ali and the Waterfront.

"The Dubai Civil Defence carried out several evacuation drills with various strategic partners at event sites. Our teams have also conducted inspections of buildings and facilities where events will be held," explained Al Mutawa.

Traffic management

Badr Al Sayiri said the movement of traffic and transportation will be managed on New Year's Eve from the RTA’s Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3).

He added that teams from the RTA, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence and the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services will be deployed at the EC3 on New Year's Eve to streamline the movement of traffic and visitors.

Road closures

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed at 18:00 or once its parking area reaches full capacity.

The Lower Deck of the Financial Centre Road and Al Sukook Street will be closed at 20:00.

Al Asayel Road, extending from Oud Metha Road and leading to Burj Khalifa district, is scheduled to close at 16:00 for the exclusive use of public buses and emergency vehicles.

During the event, Al Mustaqbal Street will gradually close between 2nd Za'abeel Road and Al Meydan Road starting from 16:00.

The Burj Khalifa Metro Station will be closed from 17:00 on New Year’s eve until 6:00 am the next day.

A total of 210 buses will be deployed to facilitate the exit of visitors from the venues of celebrations, especially to nearby metro stations and parking lots. The bus service will be free of charge for commuters on the following routes:

• Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of the Financial Centre to transport the public from Burj Khalifa Metro station to Al Wasl Club, MAX Fashion Metro Station, and Deira City Centre.
• Sheikh Zayed Road heading towards Abu Dhabi to transport riders from Burj Khalifa Metro station to Al Safa Metro Station.
• Financial Centre Road to the parking area of Al Wasl Club, Deira City Centre and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
• Burj Khalifa Street heading to Deira City Centre Metro Station.
• Business Bay Metro Station (along Sheikh Zayed Road) to Deira City Centre Metro Station.

Parking

The public will have access to nearly 1,500 parking spaces outside event areas for moving to and from event sites via the commuter bus service, which will be in operation, starting from 15:00.

A total of 1,000 parking spaces will be available at Al Wasl Club, while 500 will be allocated at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Al Jafiliya.

Taxi services

Parking lots for taxis have been designated at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and Al Wasl Club. The public can be transported from event locations by buses during departure and after the evacuation of the site.

Metro and tram services

The red and green lines of the Dubai Metro will operate from 05:00 am on Saturday, December 31 and continuously until 12:00 am on Monday, January 2.

The Tram will operate from 06:00 am on Saturday until 01:00 am on Monday, in order to facilitate the public’s access to the event area and the exit process after the end of the shows.

Directional signage and Intelligent Traffic Systems

The RTA will install directional signs within the Burj Khalifa District to ease the movement of pedestrians to and from the venues.

For public safety, pedestrian bridges on the Dubai Water Canal will be closed, as well as the associated lifts. The pedestrian walkway on the Sheikh Zayed Road above the Canal will also be closed.

Nakheel preparations

Palm Jumeirah will welcome the New Year with dazzling fireworks displays at Palm West Beach, Club Vista Marie and The Point.

Ahmed Al Ghafli, Director of the Security Department at Nakheel urged the public to use free shuttle buses from Nakheel Mall to the waterfront destination, which will be available from 20:00 on December 31 until 03:00 am on January 1.

The Palm Monorail will also operate additional hours to ease the movement of people within Palm Jumeirah.

Ambulance readiness

"This year we have allocated 1,200 well-trained staff and deployed 287 vehicles in four sectors. Our technical equipment and vehicles include ambulances, rapid responders, bicycles, boats and air ambulances operated in cooperation with the Dubai Police Air Wing Centre, in addition to supply vehicles for field support," said Mishaal Abdul Karim Julfar, Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei,Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events in Dubai:The Committee is working closely with 48 entities to ensure the highest safety,security & accessibility during the #MyDubaiNewYear’s celebrations. pic.twitter.com/3xBvPZWu3s

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 30, 2022