His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, yesterday inaugurated the Kalba-Wadi Al Helou tunnel - the longest mountain pass in the Middle East.

Located atop the highest mountain in Kalba, the 1,280-metre tunnel will be open to vehicles by the end of this month.

Dr Sheikh Sultan also ordered building another 1,250 metre-tunnel parallel to the one in Kalba, to ease the heavy traffic on Sharjah-Kalba highway and to facilitate the traffic flow between the eastern and western coast of the UAE.

Kalba tunnel was built on the orders of Dr Sheikh Sultan to connect Wadi Al Helou and Kalba city with an easier and faster route than the mountainous pass which is being used now.

The tunnel is equipped with gadgets using latest technology to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow. It has five main alarms and security systems.

It has two control rooms at its entrance and exit which will provide superintendents with information on malfunctions or accidents which might occur in the tunnel.

The two control rooms have detectors to give a detailed reading about any disorders or mishaps.

The tunnel also has sophisticated air-conditioning units, CCTV cameras, fire escapes, emergency phones and modern ventilation systems.

A round-shaped exit has been constructed at the middle of the tunnel road. It will be opened later to connect the other tunnel which is to be built parallel to this one with each tunnel having two lanes.

Cameras are placed at every 80 metres, as well as a traffic light and an emergency phone every 200 metres. There are also two gates at each side of the tunnel which will be closed in case of accidents.

The tunnel shortens the distance from Kalba to Wadi Al Helou and directly to Sharjah by half an hour.

Dr Sheikh Sultan also inspected Kalba Corniche and Lagoon projects and ordered them to be completed by the end of this year. He toured Kalba city and creekside, the new hospital, the residential and commercial areas in the city.

Dr Sheikh Sultan instructed that old residential areas in the city be replanned. He directed that internal roads in Kalba be broadened and planted with trees.

Sharjah Municipality is building more than 20 km of roads as part of its urban development plans.

Dr Sheikh Sultan was accompanied during the tour by Engineer Obaid Al Tonaiji, Director General of the Planning and Survey Department, Engineer Ahmed Fikry, Director General of Sharjah Municipality and a number of senior officials.