UAE Approves AED 34 Billion First Fully Underground Dubai Metro Gold Line Project

Dubai, UAE (Metro Rail Today): In a landmark move to strengthen its urban mobility infrastructure, Dubai has approved the Dubai Metro Gold Line project, a ₹86,816 crore (AED 34 billion) investment that will create the city’s first fully underground metro corridor.

Spanning 42 km with 18 stations, the Gold Line marks a significant expansion of Dubai’s world-class metro network and is scheduled for completion by September 9, 2032.

With the addition of the Gold Line, Dubai’s total metro network will expand from the current 120 km to 162 km, reinforcing its position as one of the most advanced urban transit systems globally.

Current Network Overview:

• Red Line: 52 km (28 stations)
• Green Line: 23 km (18 stations)
• Route 2020: 15 km (7 stations)
• Blue Line (under construction): 30 km (14 stations)

Upon completion, the total number of stations will rise from 67 to 85.

Strategic Connectivity Across Key Urban Hubs

The Gold Line is designed to seamlessly integrate with:

• Red Line
• Green Line
• Etihad Rail network

The corridor will pass through 15 high-density and strategically important locations, including:

• Mina Rashid
• City Walk
• Business Bay
• Mohammed Bin Rashid City
• Nad Al Sheba
• Meydan
• Al Barsha South
• Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)

The line will originate at Al Ghubaiba and terminate at Jumeirah Golf Estates, improving connectivity across residential, commercial, and tourism zones.

Engineering First: Fully Underground Corridor

The Dubai Metro Gold Line will be constructed as the city’s first entirely underground metro line, leveraging advanced Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology.

This approach is expected to:

• Minimize disruption to existing infrastructure
• Reduce surface-level congestion during construction
• Ensure efficient execution in dense urban zones

Project Timeline and Execution Plan

• Tender Issuance: Expected in 2026
• Contract Award: Targeted for 2027
• Construction Start: Post-award
• Completion Deadline: September 2032

The structured timeline reflects Dubai’s long-term infrastructure planning aligned with future urban growth.

Rising Demand for Metro Mobility

Dubai Metro continues to witness strong ridership growth:

• Total passengers (since 2009): 2.8 billion+
• Passengers in 2025 alone: ~295 million

The Gold Line is expected to further boost public transport usage, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and support sustainable urban mobility.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said:

“Dubai’s Gold Line project reflects a forward-looking approach to urban mobility, where capacity expansion is aligned with future demand and urban density. Developing a fully underground corridor demonstrates a strong commitment to minimizing disruption while maximizing efficiency. Such large-scale, integrated transit systems will play a crucial role in shaping sustainable and globally competitive cities.”

A Strategic Leap for Future Mobility

The Dubai Metro Gold Line is more than just a network expansion—it represents a strategic investment in sustainable, high-capacity urban transport.

By integrating with existing metro lines and national rail systems, and by adopting advanced construction technologies, the project is set to redefine urban mobility standards in the region while supporting Dubai’s long-term vision for smart and connected cities.