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Arabian Post
13-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Dubai's Blue Line Metro to Debut on 9 September 2029
Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority has confirmed the Blue Line of the Metro will begin operations on 9 September 2029, coinciding deliberately with the 20th anniversary of the Red Line's inauguration on 9 September 2009, signalling a significant milestone in the city's transport evolution. The 30 km line will feature 14 stations, linking residential and commercial hubs such as Al Jaddaf, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Academic City, and is projected to serve nearly one million people by 2040. Incorporating 15.5 km of underground track and 14.5 km elevated, it will integrate both existing Red and Green Lines through interchanges at Centrepoint and Creek stations. International City 1 will serve as a crucial Y‑junction interchange. Construction is underway following Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's foundation‑stone ceremony on 9 June 2025, where he approved a visionary design for the flagship Emaar Properties Station in Dubai Creek Harbour. The station, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, will be the tallest metro station globally at 74 metres and accommodate up to 160,000 passengers daily, rising to over 70,000 by 2040. ADVERTISEMENT Engineered for efficiency, the Blue Line will include a 1.3 km viaduct over Dubai Creek—the first metro bridge of its kind in the emirate. Travel time along key stretches will range from 10 to 25 minutes, significantly reducing travel duration across connected zones. From a passenger operations standpoint, the system is designed to move around 46,000 people per hour in both directions, with a projected daily ridership of 200,000 by 2030, increasing to 320,000 by 2040. By then, the total Dubai Metro network—comprising existing lines, the new Blue Line, and the Route 2020 extension—will cover about 131 km with 78 stations and 168 trains. Economically, the Blue Line represents a Dh20.5 billion investment, undertaken by a consortium of MAPA, LIMAK and CRRC, selected through international tender. It aligns with Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to deliver sustainable, transit‑oriented growth within a 20‑minute urban framework. The line's stations meet platinum‑grade green building standards, underscoring Dubai's commitment to eco‑friendly infrastructure. The RTA forecasts that the Red, Green and Blue lines combined could produce economic and environmental benefits exceeding Dh56.5 billion by 2040 through fuel savings, reduced accidents, and lower carbon emissions. For commuters, the impact will be immediate: daily traffic on major corridors served by the Blue Line is expected to decrease by approximately 20%. Moreover, real estate values within station catchments could climb by up to 25%. Local residents, including students and workers, will benefit from faster commutes and better connectivity, particularly in academic and industrial zones. The new Emaar Properties Station itself is set to carry naming rights held by Emaar for at least ten years, with further station sponsorships anticipated. Its shell‑inspired exterior and use of premium materials—such as Jura limestone, bronze paneling, granite flooring and glass ceilings—reflect a commitment to aesthetic excellence and place‑based identity. During the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the Blue Line's role in enhancing community integration and positioning Dubai as a leading global city. He noted that the line would 'empower communities, enhancing connectivity and supporting sustainable urban growth'. The route serves nine districts—Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City phases, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City—and links directly with Dubai International Airport for seamless airport‑to‑destination transfers. As construction progresses, RTA officials have called for greater attention to commuter needs during the build‑phase, including adequate parking and reduced road disruptions. Feedback from future daily users—students, residents, workers—underlined anticipation for improved access and decreased dependence on private cars.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dubai Metro blue line: What you need to know about route, travel time, and capacity
Standing 74 metres tall, Dubai's Emaar Properties Station on the new Blue Line features a luxurious design by US-based architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)/ Image: DXBMediaOffice A Landmark Beginning: Foundation Laid by Dubai's Ruler On June 9, 2025, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially laid the foundation stone for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a major leap in the city's urban transit development. Set to begin operations on September 9, 2029, the launch will mark exactly 20 years since Dubai Metro's first Red and Green Lines opened. — DXBMediaOffice (@DXBMediaOffice) The Blue Line, part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, is designed to integrate with existing Red and Green Lines and enable seamless travel across the emirate, with travel times of just 10 to 25 minutes across key locations. This bold initiative also supports the "20-minute city" vision, aiming for 80% of residents' daily needs to be within a 20-minute commute. The Route: 14 Stations Across Strategic Zones The Blue Line will stretch 30km, divided into two main routes and 14 stations, 9 elevated and 5 underground. First Route (21km, 10 Stations) Start Point: Green Line's Creek Station Travels through: Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor Features: Underground interchange at International City 1 Extends to: International City 2, 3 → Dubai Silicon Oasis → Dubai International Academic City (final stop) Second Route (9km, 4 Stations) Start Point: Red Line's Centrepoint Station (Rashidiya) Passes through: Mirdif, Al Warqa End Point: Joins the first route at International City 1 The line will also cross the Dubai Creek via a 1,300-metre-long viaduct, offering passengers iconic skyline views — including Burj Khalifa and Sheikh Zayed Road's architectural landmarks. Key Features: From Design Innovation to World Records Record-Breaking Infrastructure The first station under construction at Dubai Creek Harbour, named Emaar Station after Emaar Properties secured a 10-year naming rights deal, will be the tallest metro station in the world, at 74 metres (242 feet). Architectural Design Conceived by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the globally acclaimed architects of Burj Khalifa. Designed with glass ceilings, towering walls, stone-metal fusion, and earthy tones that blend Dubai's heritage and modernity. Elevated station exteriors are inspired by seashells, while interiors follow seven themes: Heritage, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Sustainability and Accessibility All stations will include: Parking spaces Electric vehicle charging points Taxi stands Drop-off/pick-up zones Accessible facilities for People of Determination Electric scooter racks The Blue Line is Dubai's first transport project to fully comply with green building standards, achieving Platinum Category certification. Connectivity and Commuter Impact Direct Access to Dubai International Airport The Blue Line will provide direct airport connectivity to nine vital residential and commercial hubs, cutting commute times drastically. Serving Over 50,000 Students Dubai International Academic City, home to tens of thousands of students, is a critical stop. By 2029, the student population is expected to exceed 50,000, positioning the Blue Line as a crucial enabler for the education sector. Daily Commuter Capacity Projected ridership: 2030: 200,000 passengers/day 2040: 320,000 passengers/day Maximum capacity: Over 850,000 passengers/day By completion, Dubai's total metro network will span 131km, include 78 stations, and operate 168 trains. Economic and Environmental Impact Massive Financial Benefits The Blue Line is expected to generate a Dh56.5 billion return in total benefits by 2040. The benefit-cost ratio stands at 2.60, meaning for every dirham spent, the city will gain Dh2.60 in returns. Gains include reduced traffic congestion by as much as 20%, lower carbon emissions, fuel/time savings, and better overall urban efficiency. Property Appreciation Land and property values around metro stations are projected to increase by up to 25%, as per planning authorities. What's Next? With construction underway at Dubai Creek Harbour and barricades marking out work zones, attention will soon turn to the naming rights of other stations. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will continue to provide updates, including detailed maps and further integrations with buses, taxis, and cycling networks. Summary of Major Features Feature Details Total Line Length 30km (21km + 9km) Total Stations 14 (9 elevated, 5 underground) Highest Station Emaar Station (74m) Opening Date September 9, 2029 Max Daily Capacity 850,000 passengers Academic City Ridership 50,000+ students by 2029 Environmental Rating Platinum Green Building Certification Projected Economic Return Dh56.5 billion by 2040 Viaduct Over Creek 1,300m connecting Green and Blue Lines
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Almost a decade gone, Metro Phase II of Bengaluru is still not on track
Bengaluru: Below par, underwhelming: That's the scorecard for Namma Metro' s Phase II pace of construction. Nearly 10 years after BMRCL began construction on Phase II, a substantial portion of the planned expansion remains incomplete. Of the 75km of new lines planned, more than 40km is still not operational. Prolonged delays, coupled with other factors, led to a major cost overrun. The project's estimated cost ballooned from Rs 26,405 crore to Rs 40,614 crore — an increase of over Rs 14,000 crore. In the same period, the traffic situation on the road got worse: In the absence of a robust public transport system, Bengaluru, which had 7.7 million vehicles in 2016, now has 12 million, adding to congestion. And a likely silver bullet – which promises timely commuting, with less uncertainty – is missing. The Phase II project, which received sanction in Feb 2014, involved extending the operational Purple and Green Lines in four directions for a total length of 35km, along with two new lines: Yellow Line from RV Road to Bommasandra (19km) and Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara (21km). BMRCL opened these extensions in phases. The first stretch — Yelachenahalli to Silk Institute (6.29km) — was inaugurated in Jan 2021. The Mysuru Road-Kengeri section opened in Aug 2021, followed by the KR Pura-Whitefield stretch (13km) in March 2023. In Oct 2023, two sections — Baiyappanahalli-KR Pura (2.2km) and Kengeri-Challaghatta on Purple Line — were opened. The Green Line extension on Tumakuru Road from Nagasandra to Madavara (3km) opened in Nov 2024. Regarding the new lines, although the Yellow Line is ready, a shortage of coaches delayed its operation. After missing several deadlines, BMRCL officials plan to open the line initially with just three trains. Pink Line, which includes a 13km tunnel network, has already been postponed to 2026. Multiple factors contributed to delays in the project, including late land acquisition, delays in floating tenders, design changes, financial difficulties causing construction companies to halt work midway and the pandemic, resulting in poor project implementation. For instance, the construction of a double-decker section on Yellow Line was never part of the original plan; the plan to build a double-decker from Ragigudda to Silk Board was added at a much later stage. On the Pink Line, the elevated section from Kalena Agrahara to Swagath Cross Road (7km) saw a contractor abandon the project midway due to financial issues. After a long gap, BMRCL appointed a new contractor to continue the work. It has been eight years, and the project is still under construction. The delay in project execution, rising land acquisition costs, extension of the network by 3km, and construction of new depots all contributed to the steep rise in the project cost. Thursday, the state cabinet approved an increase of Rs 9,729 crore for the Phase II project. It is reported that the state govt urged Union minister for housing and urban affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, during his visit to Bengaluru, to approve the revised project cost and sanction Phase III of Namma Metro, extending from Sarjapur to Hebbal. GFX PHASE II * SANCTIONED IN 2014 * LAUNCHED IN 2016 * WAS TO BE READY BY 2020 * LIKELY TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY 2026 * 116km: Full operational length of phase II *77km: Operational line as of today * 8L: Ridership per day as of now ++++ Glitch disrupts services for 5 hours Namma Metro services on Purple Line were disrupted for nearly five hours Friday morning due to a technical snag at the Whitefield (Kadugodi) station. BMRCL officials said operations between Hope Farm Channasandra and Whitefield stations were suspended from 5am to 9.55am. However, there were no disruptions on the rest of the Purple Line between Challaghatta and Hope Farm Channasandra. The Green Line remained fully operational with no impact on its schedule. ——- Early operations for UPSC exams To assist aspirants appearing for the preliminary exams of the Union Public Service Commission scheduled for Sunday, BMRCL announced that Metro services will start an hour earlier that day. According to a release, train services will begin from terminal stations (Whitefield, Challaghatta, Madavara, and Silk Institute) at 6am, instead of the usual 7am on Sundays. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Almost a decade gone, Bengaluru Metro Phase II isn't on track yet
(File photo) Bengaluru's Namma Metro Phase II faces significant delays, with over 40km of the 75km expansion still incomplete nearly a decade after commencement BENGALURU: Below par, underwhelming: That's the scorecard for the pace of construction of Namma Metro 's Phase II. Nearly 10 years after BMRCL began work on Phase II, a substantial portion of the planned expansion remains incomplete. Of the 75km of new lines planned, more than 40km is still not operational. Prolonged delays, coupled with other factors, have led to a major cost overrun, with the estimated cost ballooning from Rs 26,405 crore to Rs 40,614 crore - a rise of over Rs 14,000 crore. In the same period, the traffic on the road has got worse: In the absence of a robust public transport system, Bengaluru, which had 7.7 million vehicles in 2016, now has 12 million, adding to congestion. And a likely silver bullet - which promises timely commuting, with less uncertainty - is missing. The Phase II project, which received sanction in Feb 2014, involved extending the operational Purple and Green Lines in four directions for a total length of 35km, along with two new lines: Yellow Line from RV Road to Bommasandra (19km) and Pink Line from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara (21km). BMRCL opened these extensions in phases. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo The first stretch - Yelachenahalli to Silk Institute (6.3km) - was inaugurated in Jan 2021. The Mysuru Road-Kengeri section opened in Aug 2021, followed by the KR Pura-Whitefield stretch (13km) in March 2023. In Oct 2023, two sections - Baiyappanahalli-KR Pura (2.2km) and Kengeri-Challaghatta on Purple Line - were opened. The Green Line extension on Tumakuru Road from Nagasandra to Madavara (3km) opened in Nov 2024. Regarding the new lines, although the Yellow Line is ready, a shortage of coaches delayed its operation. After missing several deadlines, BMRCL officials plan to open the line initially with just three trains. Pink Line, which includes a 13km tunnel network, has already been postponed to 2026. Multiple factors contributed to delays, including late land acquisition, delays in floating tenders, design changes, financial difficulties causing construction companies to halt work midway and the pandemic, resulting in poor project implementation. For instance, the construction of a double-decker section on Yellow Line was never part of the original plan; the plan to build a double-decker from Ragigudda to Silk Board was added at a much later stage. On the Pink Line, the elevated section from Kalena Agrahara to Swagath Cross Road (7km) saw a contractor abandon the project midway due to financial issues. After a long gap, BMRCL appointed a new contractor to continue the work. It has been eight years, and the project is still under construction. The delay in project execution, rising land acquisition costs, extension of the network by 3km, and construction of new depots all contributed to the steep rise in the cost. Thursday, the state cabinet approved an increase of Rs 9,729 crore for the Phase II. It is reported that the state govt urged Union minister for housing and urban affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, during his visit to Bengaluru, to approve the revised project cost and sanction Phase III of Namma Metro, extending from Sarjapur to Hebbal.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
BMRCL rolls back extended metro timings as rain pushes RCB-SRH IPL 2025 match out of Bengaluru
NEW DELHI: With Bengaluru reeling under continuous rainfall and a yellow alert issued for more wet days ahead, the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between and , scheduled for May 23, has been shifted to Lucknow, the BCCI confirmed on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As a result, BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) has withdrawn its earlier plan to run extended train services till 1.30am on match night. Services will now operate as per the regular daily schedule. In a media release on Wednesday, BMRCL said, 'The scheduled 23rd May 2025 IPL match to be held in Bengaluru has been shifted to Lucknow by BCCI. Therefore, BMRCL will not extend the train services as announced earlier. Trains will run only as per the normal schedule on the Purple and Green Lines.'
