The cost of building Dubai’s long-awaited metro system is expected to rise by 75 percent to $7.6bn since the contracts were awarded four years ago, it was revealed on Sunday.
Among the reasons for the jump in costs was two extensions of the Green Line, which included five stations and a depot, two stations on the Red Line and a reworked design of all stations and their footbridges.
The Dubai Government has guaranteed the financing of the project, RTA chairman Mattar Al Tayer told reporters at a press conference.
The announcement follows a report last week quoting him as saying the cost of the project had increased by billions of dirhams since the AED15.5bn ($4.2bn) contract for the Red and Green Lines was awarded in 2005.
Al Tayer said the construction cost increase ran into billions but he did not reveal the exact figure, adding that it would be announced after the project had been finished.
More than half of the project has changed in terms of its design and facilities since its inception to cope with the growing needs of the city, Al Tayer added.
Earlier on Sunday, Al Tayer announced that only 10 stations will be open when the Dubai Metro launches on September 9.
It was also revealed that Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed will officially inaugurate the Dubai Metro on the first day of operations.
The stations to open from day one will be: Rashidiya, Terminal 3, City Center, Al Rigga, Union Square, Khaleed bin al Waleed, Al Jaffiliya, DIFC, Mall of the Emirates and Nakheel Harbour and Tower.
Initially, 11 trains will run on the Red Line, Al Tayer said, adding that the Green Line was scheduled to open in June 2010, three months later than originally planned.
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