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UAE unveils Dh170 billion mega transport plan to beat traffic by 2030

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1 month ago

November 6, 2025

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If you’ve ever been stuck in rush-hour traffic thinking, ‘There’s got to be a better way’, the UAE just heard you loud and clear.

The country has announced a massive Dh70 billion national transport plan aimed at tackling congestion and transforming road travel by 2030.

Unveiled during the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, the plan includes major road expansions, a new 12-lane federal highway, and advanced public transport systems, all designed to keep the country moving smoothly.

Here’s what’s coming:

Brand-new 12-lane highway: This 120km stretch will have the capacity to handle 360,000 trips per day.
Etihad Road: To get 6 extra lanes (three each way), boosting capacity by 60 per cent.
Emirates Road: This new road will link Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, and will expand to 10 lanes, cutting travel time by 45 per cent.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road; Plans are on to widen this road to 10 lanes, improving capacity by 45 per cent.

Road efficiency to improve by 73 per cent

The plan, led by Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, is part of a national strategy to enhance road efficiency by 73 per cent in the next five years, and ease the UAE’s growing traffic problem.

With vehicle numbers climbing 8 per cent annually (that’s four times the global average), and overlapping school and work rush hours, congestion has become a daily battle.

But there’s hope on the horizon, from new road projects to the upcoming Etihad Rail passenger service in 2026, and even a 24-hour traffic monitoring centre that analyses jams in real-time.

So yes, the UAE’s traffic future looks a lot smoother and a lot faster. Buckle up, change is on the way.

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Dubai-India travel: Security procedures triggered for Emirates flight following bomb threat email, flight lands safely

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21 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Authorities at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport activated full emergency protocols on Friday after receiving a bomb threat email linked to Emirates flight EK526 travelling from Dubai (DXB) to Hyderabad (HYD).

According to GMR officials, the threat email landed in the airport’s customer support inbox around 7.30am on December 5. Despite the alert, the flight continued under strict monitoring and landed safely at 8.30am.

Once on the ground, the aircraft was immediately moved to an isolated bay. Passengers were safely deboarded, and security te

ams carried out standard bomb threat checks. Investigations are currently underway.

Emirates confirmed the incident in a statement to local media, saying authorities had alerted them to a “potential security threat” to EK526.
“All standard security procedures were implemented by the relevant local authorities with full co-operation from Emirates’ ground teams,” the airline said, adding that “the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain the highest priority.”

Authorities say all threats are being investigated, and extra security measures remain in place at the airport.

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Driving through Abu Dhabi this week? Here are the road closures you need to know about

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22 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Abu Dhabi motorists can expect some delays over the next few days, with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announcing a series of partial road closures across key routes in the capital. Drivers are being urged to plan, allow extra travel time, and follow diversions to avoid congestion.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street

A major set of phased lane closures will take place near Sheikh Zayed Bridge from Tuesday, December 9 to Monday, December 22, 2025.

Three left lanes will be closed from 12am on December 9 until 10pm on December 15.
Two right lanes will then shut from 10pm on December 15 until 6am on December 22.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street

Another temporary closure is scheduled on Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street from 5pm on December 5 until 5am on December 8.

Authorities explained that these restrictions are part of ongoing road enhancement projects designed to improve traffic flow and safety across the city. Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes wherever possible during the maintenance period.

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Sharjah Police give deadline to remove National Day stickers, or face fines

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22 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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If your car is still sporting National Day decals, it’s time to take them off. Sharjah Police have announced that all vehicle owners must remove their UAE National Day celebration stickers by Saturday, December 6, and those who miss the deadline will face violations.

The reminder follows a crackdown during the 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations, where authorities impounded 106 vehicles and nine motorbikes for dangerous and irresponsible behaviour on the roads.

According to Sharjah Police, the violations included:

Creating loud noise and disturbing residents
Driving recklessly and endangering others
Operating vehicles without a valid licence

Police officials urged motorists to celebrate responsibly and avoid turning festivities into safety risks.

However, there has been a shift in decorating trends this year. Many residents opted for cleaner, simpler, more elegant designs to showcase their UAE pride ahead of the long weekend, and demand for custom decals surged.

Authorities are now urging residents to ensure all celebratory stickers and decorations are removed by the set deadline to keep roads safe and avoid penalties.