A $1 trillion line through the desert has spurred life into dead discussions about Saudi Arabia’s audacious project— “The Line.” With a vision of creating a city that would house nine million residents by 2030 on this proposed megastructure, 105 miles long, its planners promise to deliver a revolutionary lifestyle. They speak of a city teeming with a mirage-like skyscraper along a marina where buildings float and a sports stadium one thousand feet in the air. Yet despite its grandeur, ‘The Line’ faces challenges: critics are raising doubts about its practicability especially due to the tight timeline for construction that these recent photos depict which although impressive seems more fit for sci-fi movies than blueprints; environmental concerns loom large over such colossal projects among others including potential risks posed by mirrored surfaces to migratory birds.
Human rights breaches are alleged to be occurring beyond these ecological concerns. The Howeitat tribe, whose territory was designated for The Line, has angrily objected to their forcible removal. Additionally, migrant laborers have voiced their concerns about mistreatment at work on the project.
Although the technology required to achieve The Line’s lofty goal is shrouded in secrecy, the project’s main goal of diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy and weaning it off of oil dependence is evident. Rumors of a final cost that may soar to an astounding £2 trillion, however, cast doubt on the project’s viability. Will The Line become into a cutting-edge landmark or will it just continue to glimmer in the scorching desert? If this enormous effort succeeds in bridging the gap between imagination and reality, only time will tell.
