New Year in Dubai: fireworks, crowd control rules and all you need to know

  DUBAI - At least two million people are expected to watch New Year's fireworks in Dubai, government officials said, urging the public to try to reach the festivity venue before 6 p.m. Of the number, more than 650,000 people are expected to flock near Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai to watch the fireworks display. The fireworks will be set off in 160 locations in Dubai, including 23 in Downtown Dubai. Police are expecting huge crowds in at least six areas: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, next to Address Hotel, Souq Al Bahar area, Al Jazeera Park area and Al Burj Plaza. The Dubai Events Security Committee is sending 4,000 personnel, including Civil Defence officers, RTA employees, ambulance services and volunteers to help maintain peace and order in all venues. Twenty-six emergency tents will also be set up to provide services from first-aid to lost and found. Three pathways around Downtown To ensure a smooth crowd flow, authorities will set up three dedicated paths around Dubai Downtown for people coming from the metro stations and trying to reach the Burj Khalifa area. The path from the Burj Khalifa Metro station, which will close by 10 p.m., will be divided into two: one for families which will take them to Al Jazeera Park and near the Burj View and one for bachelors which leads them to South Ridges. The second and third paths are also divided into two each, one for families and the other for bachelors coming from either the Financial Centre or the Business Bay Metro stations. These paths will lead people to areas where they can watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks. More than 20 screens will be set up on the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard to display instructions. Those who have reservations at hotels and restaurants near the Burj Khalifa area should present their access cards to Dubai police so they can easily access the area. Fireworks Fireworks across Dubai will last for eight minutes and the Burj Khalifa fireworks this year have a new twist. The Dubai Water Canal fireworks and Burj Khalifa fireworks will be accompanied with music and the theme is based on the  UAE's traditions. This year's fireworks display will extend to the Dubai Water Canal and will pass through Business Bay, Dubai Water Canal, next to Al Khail, Al Jaddaf area up to the Dubai Creek Harbour. Those who wish to watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks can do so from the following locations: Dubai Mall fountain, Al Jazeera park, Souq Al Bahar, Burj Plaza, South Ridges buildings, Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard.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