In a significant move aimed at enhancing Dubai’s infrastructure, the Dubai Municipality has announced the awarding of contracts for four new projects as part of the third phase of the “Drainage” programme. This initiative, guided by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, includes an investment of AED 3 billion to develop a comprehensive rainwater drainage network in the emirate.
Strategic Infrastructure Development
This phase of the “Drainage” programme involves the execution and extension of approximately 100 kilometres of main rainwater drainage lines, which will have diameters of up to three metres. These upgrades are expected to enhance the operational flexibility of the city’s drainage network, addressing the anticipated future growth of the emirate.
Key Project Areas
The newly initiated projects are strategically positioned across vital economic, commercial, industrial, and tourism sectors within the emirate, covering nearly 100 square kilometres. Improvements will be made to the rainwater drainage systems in various areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, Al Manara, Al Quoz, Al Barsha, Al Wasl, Zabeel, Al Bada’a, Al Sufouh, and Al Marmoom. These upgrades will connect to the municipality’s main drainage network, significantly increasing the capacity for water flow and enhancing operational resilience, all while supporting sustainable urban growth.
Expanding Drainage Capacity
The third batch of projects is an integral extension of the “Drainage” programme, regarded as one of the largest and most innovative strategic projects in the region. The initiative aims for a total funding of AED 30 billion, making it the largest rainwater collection programme in a unified system in the area and the highest in operational efficiency.
This extensive framework will ensure the establishment of a flexible drainage system that meets Dubai’s future needs, improving the city’s preparedness to deal with varying climatic changes. The enhancements are projected to increase the drainage capacity by 700%, while reducing costs related to the establishment of pump stations and operational maintenance by 20%. This aligns with the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the UAE’s strategic objectives for achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Commitment to Excellence
Engineer Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalitha, Director General of Dubai Municipality, stated, “Our goal is to build a comprehensive and integrated model for a future-forward city within a sustainable urban system. Our advanced infrastructure is designed to serve humanity, improve quality of life, and enhance safety and security levels, alongside creating a stable environment conducive to business growth and economic activity. This solidifies Dubai’s position as the best city for living, working, investing, and visiting in the world.”
Project Highlights
Engineer Adel Mohammed Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of the Waste and Drainage Sector at the municipality, emphasized the vital role of the third phase in enhancing the rainwater drainage system’s readiness and efficiency to handle rainfall under various future climate conditions. He added, “We are keen to ensure that these projects represent a qualitative leap that supports our broader objectives for the Drainage programme, mitigating rainwater accumulation and providing safety for communities while improving service quality and maintaining resource sustainability.”
Major Projects Overview
Among the largest projects within the third phase is the improvement of rainwater drainage networks in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, which aims to upgrade infrastructure along crucial corridors. It will service communities stretching from Umm Suqeim (1, 2, and 3), Umm Al Sheif, to Jumeirah (3) and include 42 kilometres of main rainwater drainage lines to boost network capacity and functionality.
Additionally, the project focusing on the drainage network between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road aims to develop a resilient and sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting residential and urban growth, involving the construction of 14 kilometres of primary rainwater drainage lines following the highest international standards.
Furthermore, the project aimed at developing rainwater drainage lines along Al Wasl Road will cater to areas east of the Dubai Water Canal, which include Zabeel (2), Al Wasl, Jumeirah (1 and 2), Al Bada’a, Al Sufouh, and the Dubai World Trade Centre. This entails the execution of an integrated network for rainwater drainage that spans 21 kilometres.
Lastly, the programme will establish a comprehensive sustainable rainwater drainage system in the Al Marmoom area, serving key locations through 23 kilometres of drainage lines, ensuring continuity of services while improving the quality of urban infrastructure in the region.