Security plan in place for Burj Dubai opening ceremony

Dubai: More than 1,000 security personnel are expected to be present at the official opening ceremony of Burj Dubai, which is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2010.

While the event is expected to host 6,000 visitors, parking space for more than 7,300 vehicles will be available, said Mohammad Eid Al Mansouri, Director of the Organization Protective Security and Emergency Department at Dubai Police, who was speaking to Emarat Alyoum newspaper.

Parking space at Dubai Mall, which can house almost 5,000 vehicles alone, will be fully dedicated for the event, in addition to other parking spaces.

Al Mansouri said that vehicles, including police cars, will not be permitted to park on the inner roads close by the Burj. Any parked car will be removed right away.

Part of the security measures taken by the Roads and Transport Authority, messages will be put up on electronic notice boards asking drivers close to the Burj area not to stop their vehicles when the fireworks start in order to avoid traffic or any car accidents. The fireworks which will be used at the ceremony are said to be the first of their kind.