ABU DHABI // Abu Dhabi has pushed ahead with a building programme that began before crude prices slumped in 2014. They include Louvre Abu Dhabi, a new airport terminal and a nuclear power plant.
Here are the 10 biggest projects under way in the emirate.
With a combined value of Dh134 billion they are expected to be completed by 2020, according to a list provided by the Government this month.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Jean Nouvel-designed building is set for completion soon. The Dh15.35bn centre includes a children’s museum and a 260-seat auditorium.
Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island at night. Ravindranath K / The National
Barakah Nuclear Power Plant
The first nuclear plant will supply 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs from May 2020, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation says. The Dh84.4bn project includes four reactors producing a combined 5,600 megawatts.
The Barakah site. Courtesy Wam
Sewage Tunnel
Abu Dhabi planning officials say the 41-kilometre sewage tunnel is among the world’s longest. With an additional 43km of smaller linking tunnels, the Dh5.5bn project is due to be completed this year.
E11 Highway
The new highway and road upgrade will link Abu Dhabi with the Saudi border through the industrial centre of Ruwais, the site of the UAE’s first nuclear plant. The project includes 15 flyovers and will cost Dh5.5bn.
Zayed City infrastructure
The Government says the road network, sewerage, lighting, electricity and water infrastructure for Zayed City, a new district in Abu Dhabi, is about 20 per cent complete. The Dh3.3bn project is expected to be finished by January 2020.
Midfield Terminal
At a cost of Dh19.1bn, Abu Dhabi’s new terminal will have 65 gates and will double the airport’s capacity to 45 million passengers a year. Built over six levels, it will include a hotel, shops and restaurants when it is finished in January 2019.
Midfield Terminal in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy ADAC
Jebel Hafeet Housing Development
At a cost of Dh5.5bn, the project near Al Ain includes homes for 3,000 people, including a school, a clinic and other facilities. It is due to be finished by the end of the year.
Al Ain New Hospital
The 719-bed hospital will have cost Dh4.4bn when completed in December 2018.
Al Ain New Hospital under construction. Courtesy Wam
Ain Al Faida Residential Development
Another residential project in Al Ain, the Dh4.18bn government project includes homes for 2,000 people and will be completed by the end of July.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
The first hospital in Abu Dhabi to provide advanced treatment for burns, it will hold 739 beds when it opens at the end of January at a cost of Dh4bn.
* Bloomberg
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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