Dubai: Up to 2 million people are expected to gather around three iconic areas in Dubai where spectacular lights-and-sounds displays would ring in the New Year on the night of December 31.
To ensure smooth celebrations, Dubai Police had announced security and traffic arrangements for the New Year’s Eve events around the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Residence on Monday.
There will be separate pathways designated for bachelors and families around the world’s tallest man-made tower from the three major Metro stations adjacent to it.
Major General Khamis Mattar Muzeina, Dubai Police Chief, said the move is to ensure the smooth and safe movement of people around these places, and for them to fully enjoy the lights and sound shows.
Closed streets
Police will close the streets adjacent to these venues.
By 4pm, Al Asayel Street will be closed to traffic and will be used as a path of public transport and VIPs.
Between 6 to 8pm, The Boulevard Street will be closed, depending on the overall situation of traffic.
From 6pm, Al Sa’ada road will be closed, as well as the road from Murooj Rotana leading to the Burj Khalifa area.
By 8pm, the Zabeel intersection in the same street will be closed down.
From 10pm, the roundabout leading to Emirates Towers from Al Sa’ada road will be closed.
From 10pm to 6am, the Burj Khalifa Metro station will be closed.
Fireworks will go off at 12am in Burj Khalifa, at 12.09am at Burj Al Arab, and at 12.16am at the Jumeriah Beach Residence.
16 service sites
Maj Gen Al Mazeina called on the public to cooperate with the police and abide by traffic instructions in order to avoid congestion in the different sites.
There will be 16 sites in the area that will provide services such medical emergency services, reporting lost items, providing logistic support, receiving lost children and caring for them until they are returned to their parents and providing directions.
Emergency communications and complaints will be handled through 999 or by going to the nearest police stations, while non-emergency complains or concern will be received on 901.
Viewing areas
On Monday, Maj Gen Al Mazeina explained that police identified areas where the public can watch the fireworks around the Burj Khalifa Tower: the Dubai Mall Waterfront, Burj Park, Souk Al Bahar, Burj Plaza, South Bridge Buildings, The Boulevard and the Business Bay area.
Other fireworks displays will be held at Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Residence and on the Palm Island.
Public paths
Police have also identified pedestrian paths for the public to the Burj Khalifa area from nearby metro stations, where there will be three tracks.
The first from the Burj Khalifa Metro Station, which will be 850 meters long, the second from the Financial Center Metro Station and is 1550 meters long, and the third from the Business Bay Metro Station, and is 1,500 meters long.
There are separate paths for families and people with bookings from the Burj Khalifa and the Business Bay metro stations, said the police chief, while there will be a paths bachelors from the DIFC and Business Bay metro stations.
