Source: www.dubaicityguide.com
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) recently received H.E. Dr. Hassan bin Eisa Al Fadhala, Executive Vice-President for Operations, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, in the presence of H.E. Faris Al Nuaimi, Qatari Consul General in Dubai; Ghanim Hassan Al Ibrahim, Director of the Group’s Projects; and Sultan Bakheet Al Azzi, Director of Qatar Railways Project. The meeting explored ways and means of boosting cooperation in railways networks.
In the outset of the meeting Al Tayer hailed the fraternal relations between the UAE and the State of Qatar under the wise leadership of the two sister countries. “Visits of GCC delegations are good opportunities for sharing expertise, boosting cooperation in various fields and benefiting from the practices of GCC countries. In keeping with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, RTA offers all its expertise and potentials in the service of sisterly and friendly countries” he said.
During the meeting Al Tayer spoke about the key instrumental factors that helped RTA complete Dubai Metro on time; namely the unlimited support & follow-up of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, clear vision, mission & objectives, ongoing follow-up of work progress at various phases of the project, teamwork spirit, the cooperation & communication with all relevant internal & external parties, proper management of risks and challenges, developing an integrated work program for all key stakeholders & subcontractors, and documenting & learning lessons.
He further elaborated: “Dubai Metro Project was confronted with several challenges such as the integrating various mass transport systems in the Emirate, reviewing the important project details, tackling technical issues such as tunnel ventilation, taking strategic decisions such as the phased opening of the Red Line stations, commitment to open the project on time i.e. 09.09.09, and cooperating with various stakeholders of the project, dealing with engineers and workers of almost 200 hundred nationalities. The leadership team coped with these challenges out of its commitment to carry out the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; which were communicated to all personnel working in the project, be it employees of the RTA or employees of the Consortium constructing the project. It was reiterated to all personnel that the decision of opening the Dubai Metro Project on the time preset at the signing of the contract in 2005 is an irreversible decision and everyone has to work accordingly. RTA succeeded in mobilizing all potentials & resources of all affiliated agencies & sectors to ensure the project delivery on time”.
The Qatari delegation watched a documentary film about the Dubai Metro; which comprises two lines; the Red Line and the Green Line. It is considered the longest driverless metro line undertaken in a single project in the world. The Red Line extends 52 km and includes 29 stations (4 underground and 25 elevated stations with two stations at Dubai International Airport). The Green Line extends 22 km and comprises 18 stations (including 6 underground stations), and extends 10 km under the ground.
H.E. Dr. Hassan bin Eisa Al Fadhala, Executive Vice-President for Operations, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, stated that he was impressed with the projects undertaken by the RTA, particularly in the field of mass transportation such as Dubai Metro, and Public Transport means. He also hailed the fast speed of constructing RTA projects in a record time.
Afterwards, the delegation was accompanied by the Acting CEO of Rail Agency Adnan Al Hamadi, Director of Rail Operation Dep’t Ramadan Abdullah, and Director of Rail Planning & Development Dep’t Abdul Rida Abu Al Hassan in a tour of Dubai Metro.
Al Hamadi gave a brief explanation about Dubai Metro highlighting the environment friendly nature of the project; which has a design fully committed with safety and security standards at the highest quality levels. He spoke about the design of stations which have distinctive design offering a blend of modernity and tradition and highlighted the services offered to the metro users such as the commercial outlets, restaurants and waiting areas.
