Abu Dhabi gives green light to major projects

Abu Dhabi's executive council on Monday approved plans for a number of major development projects in the real estate, healthcare, transport and education sectors.

The council gave the green light for construction, renovation and infrastructure projects in Liwa, Ghayathi, Al Hayer, Al-Shuaib, Bida Al Mutawaa, Mazyed, Um Ghafa, Nema, Al Salamat Umm Alashtan and Alybanh, state news agency WAM reported.

The North Wathba project is one of the largest residential projects to have been approved to date.

It covers an area of 4,178 hectares, and on completion it will provide 13,150 new residential plots.

The budget for infrastructure works for Khalifa Port and the development of Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD) was also approved by the council, which was chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

The first operations are expected to start at the port on September 1.

Projects to develop new terminal facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport were also approved, WAM said.

The new terminal building will be able to handle 27 million passengers a year and is planned to be open in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Provision has been made for the design of a metro and tram system to help reduce traffic congestion in Abu Dhabi, WAM added.

Two new major road projects were also given the green light. The Al Mafrag-Ghuwaifat road will connect Abu Dhabi with neighbouring countries and includes the expansion of the current road by 246km and the building of 15 new overhead interchanges.

The second major project is the extension of the existing Emirates Road from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

Fourteen new healthcare facilities and a world-class rehabilitation centre will also be built as part of the government's strategy to improve health services in Abu Dhabi.

Two new industrial zones will also be created in the Western Region.

Al Rowais industrial zone will cover an area of 14 sq km and will focus on the chemical, petrochemical, plastic manufacturing, oil and gas, cement, building, and logistics industries.

The Madinat Zayed industrial zone will focus on the oil and gas, food manufacturing and logistics industries.

The executive council also approved projects proposed by Abu Dhabi Education Council for the establishment of 24 new schools, and the refurbishment of 10 others.