UAE prepared for mega NYE celebrations
ENJOY DAZZLING FIREWORKS, AMAZING LASER, DRONE SHOWS AND MUCH MORE
With more than 1m revellers expected to gather at Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, public transport is the best choice to reach with metro running 43 hours straight.
The UAE is all set for mega New Year eve celebrations with dazzling fireworks, amazing laser and drone shows, celebrity concerts, parades, world recordbreaking pyrotechnic displays, and more across the country.
The biggest party will be in Dubai as residents and visitors will be spoilt for choice as fireworks will light up the night sky in 32 locations across the city, with the traditional fireworks and laser show at Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest tower — at the centre of the celebrations. Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police said that they are working closely with 48 entities to ensure the highest safety, security and accessibility during the New Year celebrations.
A total of 10,597 personnel, 5,800 security guards, 1,420 volunteers, 3,651 patrols and vehicles, and 45 marine boats, have been deployed across 30 locations where celebrations and fireworks will take place. About 10,000 cameras will be used by the Enterprise Command and Control Centre of the RTA for smart surveillance of roads.
With more than one million revellers expected to gather at Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, public transport is the best choice to reach the venue with metro running 43 hours straight.
Abu Dhabi will aim to break three Guinness World Records, including the largest fireworks show spanning 40 minutes. The celebration is part of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, and there will also be a drone show, parade, dancing fountain, and live music. Other landmarks in Abu Dhabi will also have firework extravaganza.
Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah will have an 8-minute long firework display while Khorfakkan beach will host familyoriented activities. There will also be fireworks along Ajman Corniche and Umbrella Beach in Fujairah while Ras Al Khaimah will set a world record for the drones launching fireworks simultaneously along the 4.7km waterfront between Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Village.
Dubai is all set for the New Year Eve celebrations as more than a million revellers are expected to gather for the biggest party in town at the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai.
The Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events in Dubai announced yesterday that it has completed the final preparations for ensuring safe and secure New Year celebrations in the emirate.
The press conference, held at the Emaar Operations Room, was led by Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operaons Affairs at Dubai Police and Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events in Dubai; Ahmad Thani Al Matrooshi, Board Member, Emaar Properties PJSC; 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 Traffic and Roads Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); and Ahmed Al Ghafli, Director of the Security Department at Nakheel, in addition to members of the Committee and various police officials.
Maj. General Al Mazrouei said the Committee is working closely with 48 entities to ensure the highest safety, security and accessibility during the New Year celebrations. A total of 10,597 personnel, 5,800 security guards, 1,420 volunteers, 3,651 patrols and vehicles, and 45 marine boats, have been deployed across the 30 locations where celebrations and fireworks will take place.
The Committee’s preparations were based on a smart plan created by the Dubai Police in conjunction with the RTA to ease traffic movement and mobility during the New Year celebrations. About 10,000 cameras will be used by the Enterprise Command and Control Centre of the RTA for smart surveillance of roads.
Major General Saif Al Mazrouei urged the public to cooperate with the police and adhere to traffic instructions to avoid congestion. Members of the public requiring assistance can call Dubai Police on 999 for emergencies and 901 for nonemergencies.
Public routes
The Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events has created three dedicated routes 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 New Year 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 Edge area. The third route provides a direct path from the Business Bay station.
Maj General Al Mazrouei said the Committee has developed an integrated plan to streamline access for metro users to the locations of fireworks. The plan includes separated 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 5pm or when the numbers exceed the capacity of the station. Specific routes have been set out for shoppers and spectators inside the Dubai Mall,” he noted.
Brig. Expert Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, Assistant Director General of Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) for Fire and Rescue, said that DCD 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 to ensure the safety, protection and happiness of the public. The Dubai Civil Defence teams have also conducted inspections of buildings and facilities where events will be held to ensure prevention, safety and fire protection systems meet the highest benchmarks,” Al Mutawa said.
Traffic management
Badr Al Sayiri said the movement of traffic and transportation will be managed on New Year’s Eve from RTA’s Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3), one of the largest and the most sophisticated control centres in the world. He noted that teams from RTA, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defense 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 on New Year’s Eve in various key locations in Dubai, especially the Burj Khalifa area.
Road closures
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed at 6pm or once its parking area reaches full capacity.
The Lower Deck of the Financial Centre Road and Al Sukook Street will be closed at 8pm. The Al Asayel Road, extending from Oud Metha Road and leading to Burj Khalifa district, is scheduled to be closed at 4pm for the exclusive use of public buses and emergency vehicles.
During the event, Al Mustaqbal Street will gradually shut down between 2nd Za’abeel Road and Al Meydan Road starting from 4:00pm.
The Burj Khalifa Metro Station will be closed from 5pm on New Year’s Eve to 6am the next day.
He added that 210 buses will be deployed to facilitate the exit of visitors from the venues of celebrations, especially to nearby metro stations and parking lots.
Parking
The public will have access to a total of approximately 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 3:00pm. 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.