A new gate that will come up at the entrance of Hatta within the next eight months will add an artistic flourish to the scenic area. The project is part of the AED 1.3 billion Hatta Development Master Plan announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The board of executive directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved the awarding of Hatta Gate construction contract. Construction works will start in February 2017, and the project is set for completion within six months.

The Hatta development plan is aimed at enhancing the area socially and economically by raising its profile as an attractive destination for environment-friendly tourism.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA, said: “Hatta Gate Project boasts of a unique design that reflects the identity of Hatta and its nature in a modern and innovative setting. The design of the gate replicates the gorgeous and exciting topography of the area dotted with mountains and cliffs in a creative style with successive columns of different configurations depicting the unique nature of the area. The vertical high shape symbolises the stiff, towering mountains of Hatta, creating unforgettable memories for visitors.”

The authority will carry out a number of projects in Hatta. In coordination with the ministry of infrastructure development, the authority is currently building a key road linking Dubai with Hatta via Lehbab at an estimated cost of AED 54 million. In a couple of years, the RTA will design and construct roads in the Makan residential area and Crushers area in Hatta at an estimated cost of Dh15 million.

Al Tayer reiterated the authority’s keenness to upgrade the road network to keep pace with the demographic and urban growth, expand roads capacity to accommodate the increasing number of vehicles, and ease the traffic movement in Hatta as part of the implementation of the master plan.

Over the past few years, the RTA has carried out a number of road projects in Hatta, stretching about 150km linking Hatta with neighbouring areas. It also rehabilitated Jima Dam, and this year, it undertook the maintenance of Jima-Al Fai Road, and completed 50 per cent of roads linking farms to facilitate the movement of people. As for transport, the RTA has built the Hatta-Dubai bus station and run the service that about 250,000 passengers use it a year. A taxi services office has been opened in the area, and preparations are currently in progress to provide taxicabs to transfer non-urgent cases from Hatta Hospital to Dubai hospitals.