H.H. Sheikh Mohammed oversees beginning of tunnel works for Dubai Metro Blue Line

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the site of the tunneling works now officially underway on Sunday for the Dubai Metro Blue Line.

On his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed said the project will span 30 km, with half of it underground, featuring 14 iconic stations, serving one million people and reducing congestion in Dubai by 20 per cent.

Ahead of the launch deadline set for September 9, 2029, Sheikh Mohammed revealed that 10,000 employees and engineers are racing against time on a budget of AED20 billion to complete "the world's newest and most beautiful metro".

Sheikh Mohammed gave the signal to operate the tunnel boring machine known as TBM, marking the start of the excavation works.

The TBM measures 163 meters in length, weighs over 2,000 tons, operates around the clock, and achieves an average excavation length ranging from 13 to 17 meters per day.

The Blue Line will connect the neighbourhoods of Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Al Warqaa, Mirdif, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Academic City, and Dubai International City, as well as interchanges with existing and future metro lines and with the Etihad Rail network.

These works are also alongside the AED34 billion being spent on the Gold Line, which is expected to be completed by September 9, 2032.

Sheikh Mohammed added that these ongoing works are alongside several major developments planned in Dubai, including "our new global airport, future transport lines, the International Financial Center in a new look, digital infrastructure and government services powered by self-driving artificial intelligence technologies, and many more projects we will launch in the coming months".

Sheikh Mohammed believes these make Dubai "the world's most future-ready city".

He continued: "Investing in the transport sector is an investment in the future and a key pillar of enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness.

"The Dubai Metro Blue Line represents an extension of an integrated vision aimed at building a more connected, efficient and sustainable city.

"Our projects in Dubai are delivered to the highest international standards, guided by clear plans and precise timelines, and driven by national talent capable of turning vision into tangible achievements on the ground. Their delivery is overseen by 180 rail experts and engineers."

Mohammed bin Rashid: As construction begins on the Dubai Metro Blue Line project…

Spanning 30 km, with half of it underground, the line will feature 14 iconic stations, serve 1 million people, and reduce congestion in Dubai by 20%.

10,000 engineers and workers are racing…

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 3, 2026

خلال تدشين أعمال الخط الأزرق لمترو دبي ..
30 كم .. نصفها تحت الأرض .. 14 محطة أيقونية تخدم مليون شخص وتقلل الازدحام بنسبة 20% في دبي بإذن الله .

10 آلاف موظف ومهندس يسابقون الزمن وميزانية 20 مليار درهم لإطلاق هذا الخط بحلول 9-9-2029 بالإضافة ل34 مليار أخرى للخط الذهبي . ليكتمل… pic.twitter.com/BHzOs1tQsJ

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) May 3, 2026