Green light for Abu Dhabi bus station and water plan

ABU DHABI // Abu Dhabi Executive Council approved a number of irrigation and transport projects yesterday.

The green light was given to develop the irrigation network, water tanks and pumping stations on the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain road, from the Al Faya area to Al Khatam.

The go-ahead was also given to construct a new bus station in Al Ain.

The developments came during a meeting chaired by Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and member of the Executive Council.

"The project is in line with the policy of expanding the use of treated water and dispensing with the use of fresh and desalinated water [for irrigation purposes]," a statement from the Executive Council said regarding the irrigation project.

When completed, it is envisaged the network will help to save 8,900 square metres of ground and desalinated water daily, which would boost reserves in those waters.

Abu Dhabi Municipality was tasked with getting the project started.

It includes the installation of seven pumping stations and irrigation tanks, in addition to new irrigation water pipelines.

The council also approved a project to build the new main bus station in Al Ain at the same location of the old station, near Al Ain Oasis in the city centre.

Abu Dhabi general services company Musanada was commissioned to construct the new station that consists of an administrative building, commercial outlets and parking spaces.

The committee also discussed the interaction between government agencies and the media.