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37m people use RTA services during Expo 2020 Dubai
As many as 37.3 million people used Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) services during Expo 2020 Dubai, recent statistics indicate.
This is a whopping 67 per cent of the total usage of transport services at Expo. A total of 26.3 million people travelled by public transport — Dubai Metro, public buses, taxis and e-hail rides.
RTA’s transit modes served 37 per cent of Expo visitors and about 11 million motorists used RTA’s parking slots during Expo, said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general, chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA.
“The integrated infrastructure of road and transportation networks, as well as the master mobility plan developed by RTA in cooperation with strategic partners, was instrumental in facilitating the movement of residents and visitors from Dubai and other emirates to Expo 2020,” Al Tayer pointed out.
Dubai Metro carried 8.2 million riders and covered more than 5.7 million km during the Expo from October 1, 2021 till March 31, 2022.
Public buses transported 15.5 million people, covering over 7.3 million km.
There were four types of bus services, including the Expo Rider Intercity had 1 million riders; Expo Rider Dubai had 1.4 million riders. Parking Shuttles to the three Expo 2020 Dubai gates clocked 10.2 million riders; and People Mover buses between gates had 2.8 million riders.
Taxi and e-hail ride services, like Careem and Uber, carried 2.5 million riders, said Al Tayer.
“RTA managed more than 29,000 parking slots at the site of Expo at several zones,” he added. “A total of 11 million people used RTA’s parking services.”
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of #RTA revealed that the number of usages of RTA services during the period of Expo 2020 Dubai amounted to 37.3 million,https://t.co/6pqh6VIL3f pic.twitter.com/7T3kzP88uS
— RTA (@rta_dubai) April 3, 2022
RTA used sophisticated technology to manage parking to ensure a safe and smooth flow of vehicles to and from the parking lots. It included the use of smart messaging signs and the management of parking through a smart system connected to the traffic movement control centre to identify the vacant parking slots at the site. The Call Centre received more than 30,000 calls, and customers’ satisfaction rating exceeded 92 per cent.
RTA has constructed integrated infrastructure to serve Expo 2020 Dubai, costing over Dh15 billion. High on the list is Route 2020, a 15-km extension of the Dubai Metro, connecting seven stations served by newly procured 50 trains.
RTA constructed a wide roads network comprising 138 lane-kilometre and nine flyovers, in addition to deploying more than 200 public buses featuring the highest international specifications. It provided 18 stations and bus stops in Dubai and key cities across the UAE, besides providing more than 15,000 taxis and limousines.
RTA managed more than 29,000 parking spaces at the site of Expo, and employed smart technologies, applications and artificial intelligence to facilitate the movement of Expo visitors via metro, buses and taxis.
The buzz is real, and the excitement is off the charts as India and Pakistan prepare to lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai.
The ICC Academy, where the Indian team held their practice session, turned into a frenzy as security guards struggled to hold back hundreds of eager fans, desperate for a glimpse of their favourite cricketers. With just hours to go before the highly anticipated clash, ticket holders, access ID carriers, and even security personnel were bombarded with requests for that pass to the big match.
Few Lucky Fans Get a Helping Hand
The demand for tickets has skyrocketed, given Dubai’s massive Indian and Pakistani communities. But there’s a catch — the cheapest seat in the 30,000-capacity stadium is said to cost a whopping Dh500.
For many blue-collar workers, attending the game seemed impossible — until Indian businessman Anis Sajan, vice-chairman of the Danube Group, stepped in as an unexpected hero. He held a lucky draw and gifted 100 tickets to his employees. For those who missing out, he has set up a special screening for them.
Said Sajan: “Many of these workers are die-hard fans, but high ticket prices keep them from watching their idols live. This is my way of making their dream come true.”
And he’s not the only one. Some other employers too have gifted match tickets.
Cricket Mania Grips the City
Dubai’s cricket fever has reached new heights. Malls are dealing with staff shortages as leave applications have poured in, and a popular cinema chain has arranged live screenings for those unable to secure stadium seats.
Security measures will be tight, with roads leading to the Dubai International Stadium set to close from 10:30 am ahead of the match start. The venue will be packed, and fans are hoping for a classic clash.
A Rivalry Like No Other
The anticipation is palpable, but there’s no interaction between the two teams ahead of the game. While India practised at the ICC Academy, Pakistan trained at the Dubai Stadium. Even fan groups are keeping their celebrations separate to avoid any tensions.
Ahead of the match, India’s in-form batter Shubman Gill was asked whether the hype around India-Pakistan clashes is overblown. His response? “India-Pakistan has a long history. It’s always an exciting contest. If so many people love watching it, who are we to say if it’s overhyped or not? We’re here to play cricket.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Aaqib Javed also acknowledged the pressure. “Every game has pressure, but against India, it doesn’t matter if it’s a must-win or not—our players are ready to raise the bar.”
Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Mudassar Nazar believes his team must step up. “Playing India in Dubai is different.
They have all bases covered,” he admitted. Still, he remains hopeful: “We’ve beaten India twice here. We’ll aim for a third. It’ll be a great match.”
Despite missing ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and having an out-of-form Virat Kohli, India enters the contest as favourites. But as history has shown, anything can happen in an India-Pakistan match.
One thing’s for sure — come match day, Dubai will witness cricket at its most electrifying. Buckle up, because this one’s going to be special, and fingers crossed that rain doesn’t play spoilsport.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
What time will the match start:
The match will begin at 1:00 pm (UAE time). Toss is scheduled for 12:30 pm.
Where is the match being played?
The India vs Pakistan, Group A match will be played at the Dubai International Stadium.
Which channels will broadcast the match?
- Star Sports Network and Network 18 channels in India.
- Tamasha and PTV Sports will stream the matches live in Pakistan
- You can watch live streaming on Willow in the US.
- Sky Sports Cricket in the UK
- Prime Video in Australia
(Source: Agencies)
Salman Khan has never been one to hold back, and at a recent event in Dubai, he added his signature dose of humour to the oft-debated topic of nepotism in Bollywood. The superstar, fondly known as Sallubhai, was in town to launch his nephew Ayaan Agnihotri’s debut song, “Universal Laws”, and in true Salman style, he had the audience in splits with his witty remark.
As Dubai’s DJ Bliss – who hosted the event – praised the Khan family for their unwavering support for Ayaan, Salman quipped, “That’s what nepotism is!” His playful jab left everyone in the room in splits.
And as the crowd cheered, Salman officially launched the song, marking Ayaan’s much-anticipated entry into the music world.
A Star-Studded Affair
The event turned into a Bollywood reunion, with stars like Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, and other celebrities coming together to celebrate Ayaan’s big moment.
During his speech, Salman highlighted that Ayaan, the son of Atul Agnihotri and Alvira Khan Agnihotri (Salman’s sister), hails from a family of seasoned film producers. He also mentioned that Ayaan’s cousin, Alizeh Agnihotri, who recently made her Bollywood debut, shares the same film-driven lineage.
Ayaan and Salman’s Previous Collaboration
This isn’t the first time the uncle-nephew duo has joined forces. Salman and Ayaan previously worked together on the track, “You Are Mine”, where the young artist showcased his rap skills alongside the Bollywood megastar. The song, composed by Vishal Mishra, became a talking point among fans.
Salman & Sanjay Dutt Spotted in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Salman is keeping busy with multiple projects. A recent video circulating on social media showed him and actor Sanjay Dutt filming on the streets of Saudi Arabia. The clip, shared by an X user, captured the two actors casually chatting with crew members.
The buzz is that Salman and Sanjay are working on a cameo appearance in the Bollywood remake of the 2021 Argentine film Seven Dogs. While details remain under wraps, fans are excited to see the duo share screen space again.
From family celebrations in Dubai to shooting in Saudi Arabia, Salman Khan is proving yet again that his star power knows no boundaries.
(Inputs from Hindustan Times, Zee News)
All roads lead to Dubai International Stadium for epic India-Pakistan clash
Salman Khan’s ‘Nepotism’ Joke Steals the Show at Nephew Ayaan’s Song Launch in Dubai
