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Video: Dubai Police reveal safety plan for New Year celebrations

Dubai - More than 1.5 million people are expected to converge in the Downtown area to watch the fireworks at Burj Khalifa. Here are the dos and don'ts.

Dubai Police held its first meeting on December 4 to discuss the arrangements for New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31. The meeting was presided over by the Commander-in-Chief Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri.  
More than 1.5 million people are expected to converge in the Downtown area to watch the fireworks at Burj Khalifa.
The police are working on a safety plan and reviewing the security arrangements for new year celebrations. 

"We will have events not only in the Dubai Mall, but in several other places such as the Beach, the Palm and so on. So that's why we have a huge responsibility to keep people safe. We are focusing on the Dubai Mall celebrations as people go there in huge numbers," Brigadier Abdulla Ali Abdulla Al Ghithi, Director General, Department of Protective Security & Emergency said. 
"Dubai Mall already has its own security staff. But for New Year's eve, Dubai Police will provide additional support to them. We have more than 5,000 cameras in that area. On that day we will ramp up security with CID patrol, officers from the department of Protective Security, traffic patrol cars, the RTA and Dubai Municipality pitching in. People from different groups will work together to ensure that the celebrations go smoothly," he added.
At least 10 officers will monitor the Dubai Mall festivities from the operations control room at the Downtown Command control centre. The other operations room, located at the command control centre of Dubai Police Headquarters, will monitor the crowd and traffic across Dubai.  
When asked whether drone swill be used to monitor traffic, he said, "We will use drones but I think it would be difficult to use them as there will be fireworks. We will try to use them but it would depend on many factors." 
His advice for those who want to see the fireworks and festivities: Ditch the car and use public transport. 
"It's better to use the Dubai Metro instead of car because we plan to close the roads leading to Dubai Mall after 6pm on December 31. Revellers can also take the shuttle buses that will ply in less half an hour from the Trade Center parking area. All the Metro Stations will remain open during the day but Burj Khalifa Metro station will close at 10pm."
He added: "Reach the venue early. Don't be late. Don't bring anything for cooking in that area. Don't bring big and heavy bags with you. It's better to pack light." 
There will also be separate queues for families and bachelors.
Motorists are prohibited from stopping their cars on the side of the road to watch the fireworks. The Sheikh Zayed Road will not be closed as people may need to reach the airport or hospitals. However pedestrians are prohibited from crossing the Sheikh Zayed Road.  
"They shouldn't climb the barrier and cross the road. That will be very dangerous. Instead they are advised to use the Metro or the shuttle buses," he added. 
nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com