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This article was first published 11 years ago

How the Dubai Metro was built

Last updated on: September 3, 2012 08:54 IST

Image: Dubai Metro.

Dubai Metro is the world's longest fully automated metro network spanning 75 kilometres.

The Red Line and Green Line are operational, with three further lines planned. All trains and stations are air conditioned with platform edge doors.

Click NEXT to see how the Dubai Metro was built...

Photographs, courtesy: Dubai Metro

How the Dubai Metro was built


Work officially commenced on the construction of the metro on 21 March 2006.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


Only 10 out of 29 metro stations of the red line opened on 9 September 2009.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The construction of the 18 stations on the red line and another 18 on the green line restarted on 7 February 2010.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The construction of all 29 metro stations on the Red Line was declared complete on 28 April 2010.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


Seven more stations on the Dubai Metro Red Line opened on 30 April 2010. Ten new trains were pressed into service, giving a total of 22 trains in service when the stations opened.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The seven stations are, Emirates Station, Airport Terminal 1 Station, Dubai Internet City (TECOM) Station, Al Karama Station, Emirates Towers Station, Marina Station and Ibn Battuta Station. 

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The Dubai Metro has 5-car trains. Each train can accommodate 643 passengers.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The 5 cars on each train are split into 3 classes: Gold (VIP) class (1car), Women and children (1car), Silver class (3 cars).

Gold class has 18 seats and is furnished with luxurious interiors.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


Women and children class has space for strollers and bags. Trained wardens accompany passengers to help with emergencies.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


All train cars have reserved wheelchair spaces for those with special needs.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


Variety of safety device on trains, including closed circuit television.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


Every station will have bus connections, taxi pickup and places to lock bicycles. 

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How the Dubai Metro was built


All stations have escalators and lifts where neccessary.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


There is a station every 1.5 km on average.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The stations have different themes: Earth (12 stations), Water (13 stations), Air (11 stations), Fire (11 stations).

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The Green Line has 20 stations: 12 elevated, 8 underground.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The Dubai Metro is operated by Serco under contract to the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The construction cost of the Dubai Metro project has shot up by about 80 per cent from the original $ 4.2 billion to $ 7.6 billion.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


The planning of the Dubai Metro began under the directive of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


A total of 87 five-car trains purchased from Kinki Sharyo for the Red and Green Lines. It includes 62 for the Red Line and 25 for the Green Line.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


There will be Wi-Fi internet access and mobile phone coverage through the Metro track and stations including the underground parts of the Metro.

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How the Dubai Metro was built


There is round the clock access control system while the whole Metro network including the trains and stations will be monitored by 3,000 CCTV cameras and specially trained security staff.

There is also provision of women and children only compartment.

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How the Dubai Metro was built

Image: Khalid-bin-al-waleed station.

Dubai Metro stations have been designed to serve as mini shopping centres withfood outlets, convenience stores, airline booking and travel offices, ATMs and even bank counters.

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How the Dubai Metro was built

Image: Union Square station.

There are vending machines for soft drinks, newspapers and Metro tickets/cards.