Dubai awards Dh3 billion in contracts for 100 km of stormwater drains under Tasreef Phase 3
Dubai is reinforcing its defences against heavy rainfall with a fresh Dh3 billion investment in the emirate’s stormwater drainage network. The Dubai Government Media Office announced on Sunday that Dubai Municipality has awarded contracts for four new projects under the third phase of the Tasreef Programme.
Scope of the projects
The four projects involve constructing and extending approximately 100 kilometres of main stormwater drainage lines, with diameters reaching up to three metres. The work spans nearly 100 square kilometres across key economic, commercial, industrial and tourism corridors in Dubai. The targeted areas include Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, Al Manara, Al Quoz, Al Barsha, Al Wasl, Za’abeel, Al Bada’a, Al Satwa and Al Marmoom.
Under the plans, stormwater drainage systems and networks in these locations will be developed and linked to Dubai Municipality’s main stormwater drainage network. The municipality stated that the projects will increase the network’s water-flow capacity, improve operational resilience and support sustainable urban growth.
Part of a broader programme
The latest awards are part of the Tasreef Programme, a Dh30 billion initiative to expand and strengthen Dubai’s stormwater drainage network. Phase 1 contracts were awarded in April 2025. On 26 February 2026, Dubai Municipality followed up with contracts for five projects under Phase 2, cumulatively valued at Dh2.5 billion.
That package included three contracts for execution and two for the study and design of drainage systems in selected areas. The contracts were signed with global infrastructure companies, including DeTech Contracting and China State Construction Engineering Corporation, alongside specialised consultancy firms.
The Phase 2 projects were set to serve 30 vital areas covering approximately 430 million square metres, supporting an estimated three million residents by 2040. The works included a main tunnel with a diameter of up to four metres to connect communities along Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Yalayis Road to the primary network, as well as an integrated network of more than 27 kilometres between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Jamayel Road.
Alignment with long-term vision
Plans also covered a drainage tunnel, a modern pumping station and a strategic stormwater collection lake along Dubai-Al Ain Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. Design contracts were awarded for an integrated stormwater and groundwater drainage system in Al Marmoom and Saih Al Salam.
The municipality said the programme follows the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop advanced, resilient infrastructure that serves the emirate for the next century. It also aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and national climate neutrality objectives.
