Dubai: With large crowds expected to converge on the area around the Burj Khalifa for New Year’s eve celebrations, Dubai Police have urged people to abide by traffic laws and regulations and follow signboards on key roads to ensure the festivities pass of without any untoward incidents.
Colonel Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Head of the Event Security Committee and Deputy Director of the Department of Protective Security and Emergency at Dubai Police, said that police have maintained an unblemished record in terms of security arrangements for New Year celebrations over the years and are well prepared this year, too. “We have had no fires, injuries or accidents in the past years and we intend to keep it that way,” he said.
The Committee had announced earlier some of the details of the New Year’s Plan and more details emerged after the plan was finalised on Tuesday.
Col Al Merri added that people who want to be part of the festivities or have bookings in restaurants in the area should be there before 6pm to avoid missing the festivities as Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard will be shut down by 8pm, if not earlier.
The committee will be monitoring the area and nearby streets to ensure traffic runs smoothly. They will be continuously assessing the traffic density on the roads leading to Dubai Mall, and might shut down a number of them depending on the traffic situation.
Dubai International Financial Centre, Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road could all be closed at some point in the night.
“We recommend that people use public transportation as we have worked on making it easier and quicker,” Col Al Merri said.
Shuttle buses will be available from four different locations in Dubai: Meydan, Dubai World Trade Centre, Zabeel Park and Al Jafiliya. People can park in those areas to take shuttle buses to the Burj Khalifa area.
Sixteen support services tents will be operational in the Burj Khalifa area complete with paramedics, first aid, a lost and found section, logistical support and police.
Col Al Merri said that there will be signboards across the city directing the traffic, and urged people to follow them.
He noted that last year people were found to be endangering their lives by crossing at non-designated areas on Shaikh Zayed Road. “In case this happens again, we will dispatch patrols and officers to arrange a designated spot for people to cross from.”
