330,000 people to throng Dubai Mall area every day of Eid

RTA sets plan for managing traffic movement during eid

DUBAI 21 June 2017: Eid Al Fitr is round the corner and Dubai has begun to prepare and brace for the hordes of revellers that are expected to throng popular destinations – like the Downtown-Business Bay-Dubai Mall stretch.

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has charted out a comprehensive plan for managing traffic movement and mass transit services as part of preparations for Eid Al Fitr. The plan aims to meet the needs of the public and road users, and offer services that enable them a safe and smooth use public or private transit means in the emirate.

“The RTA has prepared operational plans for serving about 330,000 persons per day expected to be at the Business Bay (Dubai Mall) district during Eid Al Fitr holiday – a frequently congested area during this time each year,” said Matha Bin Adai, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency cum Chairperson of Traffic Management and Handling of Operational Plans during Annual Events Team.

The plan encompasses the installation of 30 directional signs to guide traffic in several directions to Burj Khalifa area. It allows access to the District via Al Asayel Street, Zaabeel Bridges via Al Saadah Street, or through the internal roads of the Business Bay to the Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

Ease Pressure

The objective of the plan is to ease the pressure on the Financial Centre Street and ensure a smooth traffic flow during peak hours. The light signals of the Financial Centre Road and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will be monitored and controlled to ensure seamless flow of traffic during peak times.

Commenting on the organizational procedures of bus and taxi services, Maitha said, “Taxicabs in the pick-up and drop-off area of the Dubai Mall will be upped by 5 per cent to ensure the deployment of additional number of cabbies in the area.

“A programme is currently underway for carrying out preventive maintenance and cleaning of Eid Prayers and Mosques as well as bridges and tunnels. The cleaning works will cover washing main underpasses, metal rails of bridges for removal of sand and solid deposit on pavements, footbridges and directional signs of main streets according to a preset programme.

“A team of engineers and technical inspectors from Roads & Facilities Maintenance Department, in cooperation with Traffic & Roads Departments, will survey the areas around Eid Prayers to take corrective actions for any repairs or emergency works during the end of Ramadan,” added Maitha.

By Sheena Amos