Dubai, Sep 09, 2009 (WAM) -- Three major English language newspapers in their today's editorial comments have acclaimed the "Dubai Metro" as a historic milestone in the development of Dubai, the UAE and the region.
"When those first trains officially begin to rumble over the mostly elevated line, the occasion will mark the first time a metro has taken to the tracks in the Gulf Cooperation Council states," commented Gulf News in its today's editorial titled" A red letter day in the history of Dubai". Since the project was first conceived and work began in earnest on the project, the target date for opening was always pegged as 090909 - the ninth day of the ninth month of the ninth year of the new millennium. "The event is truly historic and should be a great source of pride for all in the UAE" added the paper. Another UAE daily, Khaleej Times in its editorial titled "Dubais Revolution on Wheels" has said that it is change in Dubais DNA. The paper noted that Dubai is not the first city in the Middle East to have a rail network or even a Metro. There have been other rail networks Saudi Arabia, for instance and even Metro Tehran. "However, what makes Dubai Metro truly unique in many ways is its futuristic nature and operations. It is the worlds longest, fully automated, driverless rail system, totally integrated with the citys existing public transport system," it observed. The paper extended gratitude and appreciation to Dubai government, RTA and thousands of faceless workers, who have toiled day and night to realise this dream of the emirates leadership comes true. "The Dubai Metro is set to change not just our travel habits and choice of transport but the way we have lived and worked all these years in this amazing city. And in the long run, it could very well change our lifestyle, remarked the paper. Another UAE daily, The National in its today's editorial comment on "Metro marks the pace of Dubais journey" has said that "From tomorrow the inhabitants of Dubai can abandon their Land Cruisers, Bugattis and buses. "It is a welcome achievement. The arrival of the Metro marks a great leap forward for the Gulf", the paper held.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.
