Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially laid the foundation stone and attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a major infrastructure milestone set to reshape urban mobility in the emirate.

The announcement was made by the Dubai Media Office via the 'X' platform on Monday.

Accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ceremony marked the start of construction on the 30-kilometre line, which will include 14 stations, including what will be the tallest metro station in the world.

Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X that the foundation stone for the line’s first station has been laid, adding that it represents an “architectural icon”. It will be called the Emaar Properties station.

“During the laying of the foundation stone for the first station on the Dubai Metro's Blue Line, which has a total benefit valued at Dh56 billion, the station represents an architectural icon that will be added to Dubai's cultural icons,” he said. “It will be the first station on the Blue Line, which will extend 30km, bringing the total length of Dubai's railways to 131km and 78 stations.”

He added that the Dubai Metro has transported more than 2.5 billion people since its launch, at an average of 900,000 per day, and that the new route will be a “major addition” to the emirate’s transport infrastructure. “We continue to develop the city … we continue to build the best city to live in the world,” he concluded.

Sheikh Mohammed also approved the design of the iconic Emaar Properties Station, which will stand at 74 metres high.

Designed by leading American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the station will span approximately 11,000 square metres and accommodate up to 160,000 passengers daily. The station’s design is inspired by the concept of a “crossing gateway,” symbolizing connectivity and innovation.

Part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the Blue Line will serve nine densely populated communities with a combined estimated population of one million, including key areas such as Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Festival City.

The AED 18 billion ($5.6 billion) project is being executed by the MAPA-Limak consortium and is scheduled to become operational by September 9, 2029.

Once completed, the new line will increase the total length of Dubai’s rail network to 131 kilometres, supported by 78 stations and 168 trains, further cementing the city’s reputation as a global leader in smart mobility.

The Blue Line will include three major interchange stations:

• Creek Station at Al Jaddaf (Green Line)

• Centrepoint Station at Al Rashidiya (Red Line)

• International City 1 Station on the Blue Line

It will also house Dubai’s largest underground interchange station, spanning over 44,000 sqm, and will be the first metro line in the city to cross Dubai Creek via a 1,300-metre-long viaduct.

The system is engineered for a maximum daily capacity of over 850,000 passengers, with projected usage hitting 200,000 by 2030 and rising to 320,000 by 2040.

Since its inauguration on September 9, 2009, the Dubai Metro has transported more than 2.52 billion passengers, with an average of 900,000 riders daily in 2024. These numbers are expected to grow significantly, surpassing 300 million annual passengers by 2026.

With the Blue Line, Dubai continues to push the boundaries of sustainable urban development, connectivity, and passenger experience—core principles championed by Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for the city’s future.