Dubai Ruler Visits Sites Under Hatta Development Plan
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today visited a number of areas and sites that will be covered under the AED1.3 billion Comprehensive Development Plan of Hatta in the emirate of Dubai. The plan aims to convert Hatta into a world-class tourist attraction and will focus on three key areas - cultural, economic and social developments.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, along with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, started the tour with a visit to Al Sharea Mosque area where he inspected the traditional Aflaj irrigation system and the date palm farms located in the historic area.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed then viewed the development designs of the Sharea area in Hatta, prepared by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DTCM. The project aims to transform the area into a traditional tourist site.
The development plan features a traditional hotel, houses for rest, a manuscripts museum, handicraft and traditional markets, mountain hiking adventure and bike riding, said Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of DTCM.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed next visited the dam area where a hydropower station with a capacity of 250 MW will be built, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, informed the Ruler of Dubai.
Husain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, also briefed him about the progress of the ongoing projects and those the civic body is intending to implement in Hatta.
These projects include planting 100,000 date palm trees, a support centre for farmers, a public park, a 30-room traditional inn, a 40-shop market, a 20-km trail for hiking adventure, swimming pools and a 130-apartment complex.
''These projects cost more than AED150 million and will be completed by the end of 2018,'' Lootah said.
H.H. concluded his tour by visiting a housing project for Emirati youth, which is being built by Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment.
Sami Abdulla Gargash, CEO of the Establishment, said the project would be completed by the end of 2018.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, H.H Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Head of the Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and a number of dignitaries were also present during the visit.
