Dubai (Agencies): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Elon Musk on the new underground Dubai Loop project at the World Governments Summit on Thursday.
The Dubai Loop, set to cover the city’s most populated areas, aims to transport people underground seamlessly, said Omar Sultan AlOlama, the UAE’s minister of state for artificial intelligence, digital economy, and remote work applications.
AlOlama made the announcement during a conversation with Musk, who participated via video link. Musk described the project as a “wormhole,” allowing passengers to travel from one part of the city to another quickly and efficiently.
Musk’s construction firm, the Boring Co., has previously built underground traffic tunnels in California and Las Vegas, promising high-speed transportation and a reduction in traffic. The Dubai Loop will initially span 17 kilometers with 11 stations, transporting passengers at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour.
The Dubai Loop is designed to cover the city’s most populated areas, providing a seamless underground transportation system. It promises to reduce travel time and alleviate traffic congestion, making urban mobility more efficient.
When asked about safety concerns, Musk assured that tunnels are one of the safest places to be during natural disasters, such as earthquakes. He emphasized that underground travel is more efficient and safer compared to air transport, such as flying taxis and helicopters.
The project aligns with the UAE’s sustainability efforts, utilizing electric vehicles and contributing to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. The Dubai Loop is expected to carry over 20,000 passengers per hour initially, with a capacity to accommodate more than 100,000 passengers per hour in the future.
Musk also discussed his vision for improving government efficiency, advocating for a reduction in regulations and government spending to stimulate economic growth. He emphasized the importance of updating government technology systems to enhance efficiency.
The Dubai Loop project marks a significant step towards redefining urban mobility in Dubai, promising a futuristic and efficient transportation system.