Dubai Municipality Completes 36% of Deira Stormwater Project Worth $136.1m

DUBAI, UAE – Dubai Municipality has completed 36 percent of the first phase of its AED500 million ($136.1 million) stormwater drainage infrastructure project in Deira, marking further progress in one of the emirate’s key resilience-focused infrastructure upgrades.

According to WAM, the project, which spans 13 vital areas across 4,700 hectares, involves the development of 60 kilometres of stormwater drainage networks and is scheduled for full completion by the end of 2027. Once completed, it is expected to significantly strengthen the efficiency of Dubai’s stormwater drainage system and support broader efforts to future-proof the city’s infrastructure.

Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, visited the project site alongside executive, administrative and engineering leaders, where he reviewed the scope of works, project objectives and the latest construction progress across the areas covered.

The development serves a broad section of Deira and surrounding districts, including Al Qusais 1 and 2, Oud Al Muteena, Mizhar 3, Al Twar 1 and 3, Muhaisnah 4, Al Nahda 2, Al Qusais Industrial Area 1, Al Garhoud, Casablanca Street, Dubai Airport area, and Al Rashidiya. According to Dubai Municipality, the works are being carried out using advanced engineering methods designed to ensure efficient delivery while maintaining resident convenience and minimising disruption to commercial and business activity.

As part of the first of three main phases, 22 kilometres of drainage networks have already been implemented, with pipe diameters reaching up to 2.5 metres. A new pumping station has also been constructed near Dubai Creek, with a capacity of up to 8,000 litres per second, enhancing the overall operational performance of the drainage system in the area.

The Deira scheme is one of the flagship projects being delivered under the first phase of the Tasreef Programme, Dubai’s major long-term initiative to develop and unify the emirate’s stormwater drainage network. With a total programme value of AED30 billion ($8.17 billion), Tasreef is described as the largest project of its kind in the region.

The programme is designed to increase infrastructure capacity by 700 percent, reduce the cost of station construction, operations and maintenance by 20 percent, and extend the operational lifespan of the network. The broader goal is to reinforce Dubai’s position among the world’s most advanced and resilient cities in infrastructure and urban planning.

Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said:

Dubai Municipality continues to implement a package of projects under the Tasreef Programme to develop the emirate’s stormwater drainage network, which represents a cornerstone of our efforts to enhance the efficiency of strategic infrastructure. These projects aim to make infrastructure more sustainable, advanced, and adaptable to future climate variables through innovative and proactive engineering solutions that reflect Dubai’s approach to building resilient cities of the future. We remain committed to making Dubai a leading, future-ready city with a high quality of life across every project we deliver, in line with global standards that ensure the safety of residents and visitors, enhance their wellbeing, and support business growth within the best city to live and work in the world.

For his part, Eng. Adel Mohammed Al Marzouqi, CEO of the Waste and Sewerage Agency at Dubai Municipality, said:

Through the stormwater drainage system development project in Deira and the surrounding areas, we are focused on enhancing the operational efficiency of drainage networks by implementing flexible engineering solutions in line with the latest global standards and best practices. These efforts increase capacity, reduce the risks of water accumulation, and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure, while also improving the quality of services provided to residents. This supports sustainable development pathways and ensures the continuity of business and commercial activities in one of Dubai’s most vital areas.

Dubai Municipality said it continues to manage stormwater and sewerage infrastructure through an integrated planning and operational model aligned with global standards in smart city management. The authority is also advancing the wider Tasreef Programme through smart technologies and engineering-led solutions aimed at improving the management of stormwater and surface water flows, protecting residents and property, and supporting a sustainable urban environment aligned with the emirate’s long-term development plans.