Dubai, Sep 5 (The National): After an inspection yesterday, the head of the Roads and Transport Authority cleared the Metro Green Line to begin operating on Friday.

That would put the opening of the Green Line two years to the day after the opening of the Red Line.

Mattar Al Tayer, the chairman of the RTA's board and executive director, set off yesterday from Etisalat Station in Al Qusais, near Emirates Road, the starting point of the Green Line.

The inspections continued to the stations at Al Qusais, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Al Nahdah, the Stadium, Abu Hail, Abu Baker, Al Siddiq and Salah Uddin before heading to Union Station, where the Red and Green lines intersect. Union Station is said to be the largest underground metro station in the world with an area of 25,000 square metres.

Mr Al Tayer then examined the Bani Yas, Palm Deira, Al Ras, Al Ghubaiba Al Fuhaidi and Khalid bin Al Waleed stations before concluding his tour at the Oud Metha and Dubai Healthcare City stations, where the Green Line ends.

Mr Al Tayer said "comprehensive technical testing' has been conducted at the stations to test their readiness.

Hundreds of buses will carry passengers to and from the new metro stations and various districts around the Green Line.

"Four hundred and fifty-six vehicles have been allocated to shuttle on 39 routes to serve the Green Line, linking the Metro stations with the neighbourhood," Mr Al Tayer said. "The operational hours of these buses will be synchronised with the operational hours of the Metro stations as the buses will start the service at 5.30am and continue operating up to 12am."

He said the design of the new infrastructure also includes several features to make it accessible to people with special needs.