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Hamdan bin Mohammed opens Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project

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DUBAI, 29th May, 2022 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince o

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DUBAI, May 29: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has officially opened the Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project built at a cost of AED2 billion.

Undertaken as part of Dubai’s master transport plan, the project affirms Dubai’s efforts to accelerate its economic development with major projects.

Speaking on the occasion of the opening, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said: “Dubai continues to advance the implementation of infrastructure development plans aimed at enhancing human welfare and catalysing sustainable economic growth. It is also part of our broader strategy to transform Dubai into the world’s best place to live, work and visit as well as strengthen our readiness to meet future needs in one of the fastest growing cities worldwide.”

Sheikh Hamdan further said that the government has always placed the highest priority on constantly improving Dubai’s road infrastructure, since it plays an important role in raising the emirate’s competitiveness in addition to creating an attractive business and investment environment and providing a high quality of life for the community.

The scope of the Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project spans 17 km from the intersection of Emirates Road to the intersection of Ras Al Khor Road along the Dubai-Al Ain Road. Construction works included widening the road from three to six lanes in each direction, and constructing six main interchanges along with bridges and ramps stretching 11.5 km.

Upon arrival at the project site, Sheikh Hamdan was received by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Benefits to the community

The project will ease traffic flow and improve links with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Road, and Emirates Road, besides serving the current and future communities such as Dubailand Residence Complex, Liwan and Silicon Oasis on either side of the Dubai-Al Ain Road.

This stretch of Dubai Al-Ain road connects the Mohamed bin Zayed and Emirates roads. Courtesy WAM

It will benefit a population of 1.5 million living or working in the neighbourhood on both sides of the road. It also serves 25 universities and colleges where a total of 27,500 students are enrolled. The improvements will double the intake of the road from 12,000 to 24,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

It will also slash the travel time on the Dubai-Al Ain Road from the intersection of Ras Al Khor Road to the intersection of the Emirates Road by 50% from 16 minutes to eight minutes during peak time. Furthermore, it will solve traffic snarls that used to extend about two kilometres.

Connectivity

Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed on two projects under construction. The first is the Al Manama Street Improvement Project where the existing roundabouts will be transformed into signalised junctions. Construction for the project is expected to be completed in September.

The other is the improvement of the junction of the Academic City on Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street Project, which is scheduled for completion in December this year. In future, the sector of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street from the Academic City to the junction of Al Awir Road will be further improved.

Ramping it up

Outlining the project’s highlights, Al Tayer said, “The improvement of the Dubai-Al Ain Project included the construction of four two-lane ramps at the junction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road extending 2,600 metres to ensure free and smooth traffic movement in all directions at the junction.

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The previous bridge on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road had been improved to allow for the widening of the Dubai-Al Ain Road from three to six lanes in each direction in addition to the construction of service roads on both sides of the road. The total capacity of bridges at the junction will jump to 36,000 vehicles per hour in all directions, which will ensure smooth traffic flow on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from Al Qusais in the direction of Al Ain.”

Works included widening the road from three to six lanes in each direction and constructing service roads on both sides to enhance traffic safety levels. Overall, the project covered the improvement of six key junctions with the Emirates Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Nad Al Sheba Road, Al Meydan Road and Ras Al Khor Road.

These junctions facilitate smooth traffic flow and serve the residential communities on both sides of the road such as the Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubailand Residential Complex, Liwan, and the Dubai Design District. The bridges at the six junctions stretch 6,600 metres in length and their ramps span 4,900 metres in total.

Six junctions

The improvement of Dubai-Al Ain Road junctions included the construction of a ramp at the intersection with the Emirates Road and a 220-metre bridge to link Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street with it.

The works will ease congestion seen in recent times from inbound traffic from the Dubailand Residential Complex as well as ease commute for those heading into Academic City and Silicon Oasis from nearby areas. Service roads have been constructed on both sides of the road along with turns to serve other traffic movements and development projects.

Other project works included the improvement of the Nad Al Sheba intersection to serve traffic from the Dubai-Al Ain Road to Nad Al Sheba and vice versa along with improvements of the inward and outwards surface roads of the Nad Al Sheba district.

Improvements covered the junction of Al Meydan Road with the Dubai-Al Ain Road, which has been linked with Al Manama Street by a four-lane bridge in each direction to link Al Meydan Road with Al Manama Road. Moreover, the previous bridge connecting Al Meydan Road and the Dubai-Al Ain Road has been improved to serve the residential projects of Meydan.

  • This stretch of Dubai Al-Ain road connects the Mohamed bin Zayed and Emirates roads. Courtesy WAM

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Need a domestic worker? The UAE just made getting a visa way easier

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Employers in the UAE can now handle all domestic worker visa services through a single unified digital platform, eliminating the need to navigate multiple government agencies for routine procedures.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has centralised visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and mandatory medical tests on the Work in UAE portal (workinuae.ae), representing a major simplification of domestic worker regulations.

What the platform offers

The digital portal consolidates services previously scattered across different government entities, allowing employers to manage the complete visa lifecycle from one location:

Visa services:

  • New visa applications for domestic workers
  • Visa renewals and extensions
  • Visa cancellations and transfers
  • Status tracking and updates

Medical requirements:

  • Required medical test bookings
  • Health screening coordination
  • Medical certificate processing
  • Test result retrieval

Administrative functions:

  • Document submission and verification
  • Fee payments
  • Application status monitoring
  • Digital record management

The multi-agency challenge solved

Previously, employers navigated a complex system requiring interactions with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Emirates Health Services, Abu Dhabi Department of Health and various typing centres and service providers

Each agency maintained separate systems, requiring multiple visits, redundant documentation, and lengthy processing times.

The new platform integrates these services through backend collaboration among all participating entities, presenting employers with a single interface.

The domestic worker visa platform is part of MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative, which aims to streamline labour services across the UAE’s employment ecosystem.

Why domestic worker regulations matter

Domestic workers represent a significant segment of the UAE’s labour market, with hundreds of thousands employed across the country in roles including housekeepers, nannies, cooks, drivers, and caregivers.

Simplifying the administrative framework for this sector serves multiple objectives:

For employers: Reduced time spent on bureaucratic processes, clearer procedures, lower administrative costs, and faster processing times.

For workers: Greater transparency in employment status, improved documentation of legal rights, clearer pathways for status changes, and reduced dependency on intermediaries.

For the system: Better compliance tracking, reduced fraud opportunities, improved data collection, and more efficient resource allocation.

How employers benefit

The centralised platform eliminates common pain points in domestic worker visa management:

Time savings: No need to visit multiple agencies or government offices for different steps in the visa process.

Simplified procedures: Single login provides access to all required services rather than maintaining accounts across multiple platforms.

Reduced costs: Elimination of typing centre fees and reduced transportation costs from multiple agency visits.

Faster processing: Backend integration among agencies speeds approval workflows and reduces waiting periods.

24/7 access: Digital platform allows employers to initiate and track processes at any time rather than being constrained by office hours.

Document storage: Digital records eliminate paper documentation and provide easy retrieval of historical information.

Implementation and access

Employers can access the platform immediately through workinuae.ae using their existing UAE Pass credentials or by creating new accounts.

The platform provides step-by-step guidance for each process, with support available through MoHRE’s customer service channels for employers requiring assistance.

All new visa applications, renewals, and cancellations for domestic workers should now be processed through the unified platform rather than through legacy channels.

What hasn’t changed

While the platform simplifies administration, core requirements for domestic worker employment remain in effect:

  • Employer eligibility criteria
  • Worker qualification standards
  • Mandatory medical examinations
  • Contract registration requirements
  • Minimum wage and benefit obligations
  • Insurance requirements

The platform streamlines how these requirements are met but doesn’t alter the fundamental regulatory framework.

Looking ahead

The successful consolidation of domestic worker visa services may serve as a model for further service integration across other employment categories and government functions.

MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative is expected to expand with additional features and service categories as the digital infrastructure matures and user feedback is incorporated.

Platform Details:

Website: workinuae.ae
Access: UAE Pass or platform registration
Services: Visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and medical tests
Availability: 24/7 online access

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UAE : Why 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi land has been designated as nature reserves

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In a bold move for conservation, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has decreed that 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s land must now be protected as nature reserves. The directive will create new conservation zones and expand existing ones, reinforcing the UAE’s environmental leadership.

What will change
The expansion will add 4,581 square kilometres to Abu Dhabi’s protected areas under the Zayed Protected Areas Network, which already includes several terrestrial and marine reserves. New designated zones include Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir, Ghaf Natural Reserve, and expansions to Qasr Al Sarab and Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve.

Why it matters
This is more than just land allocation; it’s about protecting biodiversity, preserving ecosystems, and ensuring sustainable development for future generations. Officials say it aligns with the UAE’s National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 and global goals, such as the “30 by 30” initiative.

Continuing momentum from Conservation Congress
The announcement follows the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, where global conservation goals were set and leadership reaffirmed. IUCN World Conservation Congress. The expanded reserves will be managed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), which views this as a means to strengthen its role in regional environmental governance.

What’s next
Expect to see new programmes in wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and collaborative projects with international partners. Early signs of bilateral environmental MoUs, such as with Japan for bird conservation, are already being put in motion.

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UAE introduces ‘Eye’: An AI system to approve work permits with minimal human input

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The UAE is taking another big leap into the future. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has unveiled an AI system called “Eye”, designed to issue work permits almost automatically. The announcement was made during GITEX Global 2025, in line with the country’s push toward digitising government services.

How it works
‘Eye’ uses artificial intelligence to verify key documents, personal photos, passports, and academic credentials, reducing human intervention to only exceptional cases. The aim is to speed up approvals, reduce errors, and cut bureaucratic red tape.

Why it matters
For employers and applicants, this means faster hiring cycles and less waiting. The move strengthens the UAE’s reputation as a digital-forward government and could make the labour market even more competitive and attractive. 

Voices from inside
Rashid Hassan Al Saadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Services at MoHRE, called ‘Eye’ a key step in enhancing the ministry’s services, aligning them with national directives and raising public expectations of government efficiency. 

This rollout accompanies other digital initiatives from MoHRE, including Work Bundle, Ask Data, and Smart Safety Tracker, all aimed at streamlining labour and permit procedures nationwide. 

What to watch next
Will ‘Eye’ really eliminate bottlenecks? Will companies see cost savings? And how will appeal or exception cases be handled? These are the questions many will be watching as the system is rolled out across the UAE.

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