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Dubai has set out a comprehensive New Year's Eve action plan to help ring in 2025 safely, with road closures, extended Metro timings and thousands of emergency service workers on hand.
Key routes in Downtown Dubai – where huge crowds are expected to gather to witness the spectacular Burj Khalifa fireworks display – will be sealed off hours before the clock strikes midnight in an effort to ensure the festivities run smoothly.
Meanwhile, more than 8,500 police officers, nearly 1,100 firefighters and close to 600 first responders from the ambulance service will be positioned at 44 firework displays and other live shows taking place in 36 areas across the emirate.
Dubai authorities have come together to help co-ordinate security measures for one of the biggest events of the year, which will include dazzling fireworks and light shows featuring drones at spots such as JBR, Global Village and Atlantis, The Palm.
Road closures
Hussain Al Banna, executive director of traffic at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, detailed the road closure plans on New Year's Eve at a press conference last week.
“All roads leading to Burj Khalifa will be closed on December 31 [in the] evening,” he said.
The following roads will be closed from 4pm: Al Asayel Road; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard; Burj Khalifa Street; Lower Financial Centre Street; and Mustaqbal Street, between the intersection of Financial Centre Street and World Trade Centre Street.
Sukuk Street will be shut to traffic from 8pm, with Upper Financial Centre Street closing at 9pm.
By 11pm, Sheikh Zayed Road will begin to close gradually between the intersections of Al Meydan Street and the Trade Centre Roundabout.
Dubai Metro timings
The Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall Metro station will be closed from 5pm on December 31, or when the capacity limits are exceeded.
The rest of the Dubai Metro network will operate continuously from 5am on December 31 until 11.59pm on Wednesday, January 1.
The Dubai Tram will be in service from 6am on December 31 until 1am on January 2.
The RTA encouraged residents to use the S'hail app for updates on public bus schedules during the holiday period.
But it noted that the E100 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station will not operate on December 31 and January 1, with passengers advised to use the E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi during this period.
The E102 from Al Jafiliya Bus Station will also be off the road on December 31 and January 1. Passengers are asked to use the same route from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Musaffah on these days.
Mr Al Banna said 29,600 taxis and limousines will be in operation to meet high demand, with additional buses sent to "high-traffic zones", while operations rooms will monitor public transport usage and traffic signals.
"Smart traffic screens will broadcast messages to help the public navigate to event areas comfortably," he said..
New Year's Eve at Global Village in 2023 - in pictures
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Global Village celebrates 'night of seven midnights' with thousands of revellers. All photos: Global Village -
Celebrations started at 8pm, to coincide with midnight in the Philippines -
The park marked the beginning of 2023 in Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the UAE and Turkey every hour after that -
Each country had its own signature fireworks display and a dedicated countdown -
Firework displays lasted seven minutes each -
A DJ was there to entertain, alongside on-stage performances -
Thousands of visitors of all ages showed up -
The party ended at 2am
“All metro stations will remain operational except those co-ordinated with Dubai Police, such as Burj Khalifa station. Alternative stations like Business Bay will handle the increased flow," said Mr Al Banna.
The rest of the Metro's Green and Red lines will operate continuously for about 43 hours from 5am on December 31 to help commuters travel across the city on one of the busiest periods of the year.
The transport chief said 1,100 buses will be laid on to transport visitors to events, with 20,000 parking spaces allocated.
Free parking
Dubai motorists can usher in a new year with free parking after authorities waived fees for the public holiday on January 1.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority announced charges would not be levied in public parking area – except at multi-storey car parks – on New Year's Day, with tariffs being reinstated on January 2.
Safety measures
A total of 1,145 police patrols will deliver support on New Year's Eve, including officers on bicycles, motorcycles and on 33 rescue boats. There will be 33 lost property tents dotted around event venues.
Brig Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, assistant director general for fire and rescue at Dubai Civil Defence, highlighted the proactive measures being taken. “We have conducted field inspections of 257 facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards,” he said.
He said 1,097 firefighters will be stationed across 36 sites divided into five main areas.
Mishal Julfar, chief executive of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, said the safety plan was the most extensive in the organisation's history.
“We are providing 224 ambulance points and deploying 593 first responders across all regions, along with 137 basic points and 52 resupply stations," he said.
He said this year they will have 42 trained and licensed volunteers and five ambulance boats on hand. “I urge the public to reach out via our direct number 998 or through the application for assistance,” he added.
Maj Gen Khalil Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief for criminal investigation at Dubai Police, emphasised the importance of public co-operation in ensuring the New Year's Eve party is enjoyed by all.
“To ensure that everyone enjoys New Year's Eve in a positive atmosphere, we appeal to people to co-operate with us,” he said.
“We have set up operations rooms at various locations across the emirate and urge people to report anything unusual, such as a car in an inappropriate location or individuals in an abnormal state. You should take the initiative to report because this homeland belongs to everyone.”
