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Saudi Arabia has revealed that 'The Line', its $8 trillion futuristic megacity project, will only be completed in 50 years, but has defended its strategy.
Saudi Arabia has officially acknowledged that the ambitious futuristic city project Neom, including the horizontal skyscraper 'The Line', will not be completed before 50 years.
Despite this, the government insists on the viability of the project and responds to criticism with firm statements.
The announcement was made during an event in Riyadh by Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, who highlighted the unprecedented scale of the project and the focus on returns of long deadline.
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The Neom project and its ambitions
The Neom project is the centerpiece of the plan Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
With estimated budget of US $ 1,3 trillion, search for BRL 8 trillion, the initiative seeks to transform Saudi Arabia into a global hub for innovation and tourism.
The proposal highlights 'The Line', a 170-kilometer-long horizontal skyscraper, covered in mirrored facades, designed to house 1,5 million people.
However, recent adjustments indicate that the initial extension will be reduced to 2,4 kilometers, with capacity for only 300 inhabitants by 2030.
The central idea of Neom is to revolutionize the concept of cities, offering advanced urban solutions, such as sustainable mobility, cutting-edge infrastructure and integrated technological services.
Saudi Arabia sees the project as a strategy to diversify its economy, currently dependent on oil.
Contested deadlines and funding challenges
Initially, Neom was expected to be completed by 2030. However, Al-Jadaan stressed that this prediction was unrealistic, explaining that “Neom is a 50+ year plan".
He reinforced that the Saudis are not “fools” and recognize the challenges of such a colossal project.
According to experts, the main difficulty is obtaining foreign financing. Torbjorn Soltvedt, from Maplecroft consultancy, told The Telegraph that foreign investors “do not fully believe in the vision of a new Saudi Arabia".
This distrust is fueled by issues such as oil market volatility and global economic uncertainty.
Despite this, the Saudi government continues to invest billions of dollars in the construction of Neom, with the expectation that smaller projects within the complex will generate returns in the short and medium term.
Changes in leadership and impacts on projects
Recently, a change in Neom's leadership has drawn attention. According to an official statement, the transition will ensure “agility and efficiency” in the execution of plans.
However, the change has sparked speculation about internal problems within the project's management, with some analysts linking the restructuring to difficulties in maintaining The Line's original schedule and scale.
Still, Saudi Arabia insists that progress is on track. Aerial images released earlier this year showed progress being made in excavations along the country's northwest coast, where infrastructure for Neom starts to take shape.
Labor disputes and human rights
Despite the grandeur of the project, concerns about working conditions and human rights have gained prominence.
Advocacy groups accuse the Saudi Arabia to exploit migrant workers, many of whom come from countries such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Recent statistics indicate that more than 21 workers have died in the eight years since Vision 2030 began.
ITV reports reveal that around 100 migrants are missing, while hundreds of deaths remain unexplained.
Some of the most serious complaints include salary delays of up to 10 months, excessive working hours and inadequate food. A driver working on the project reported that exhaustion had caused an increase in accidents, with around five occurrences per month.
Furthermore, extreme stress has led many workers to develop serious illnesses.
An undercover journalist, identified as Noura, interviewed workers at the site, who described conditions bordering on slavery.
"We are treated like beggars”, one of them said. Another shocking report revealed that workers are not allowed to leave the country to visit their families.
Official response from Neom
Faced with the accusations, Neom's administration said it was evaluating the complaints and promised corrective actions, when necessary.
In a statement, they stressed that all contractors must comply with the company's Code of Conduct, based on Saudi laws and the standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Frequent inspections would be carried out to ensure compliance with the rules.
Despite these statements, human rights groups remain skeptical, pointing to a lack of transparency and the absence of consequences for repeated violations.
Critics point out that the scale of the project makes it difficult to implement effective measures to protect workers.
Social and environmental impacts
In addition to labor controversies, Neom's environmental and social impact also worries experts.
The construction of The Line involves excavating large areas of desert and mountainous terrain, which could disrupt local ecosystems and displace communities.
Saudi Arabia has faced criticism for its lack of dialogue with residents of the region, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes without adequate compensation.
Another issue raised is the technical feasibility of The Line. While the concept of a horizontal skyscraper is innovative, engineers question the sustainability of the design, which relies on cutting-edge technology and highly specific materials.
Conclusion: an uncertain future
While Saudi Arabia continues to promote Neom as a symbol of modernity and innovation, practical and ethical challenges remain. The government is betting on the long term to convince investors and overcome criticism.
However, with extended deadlines and growing controversies, Neom's success is far from guaranteed.
The images of the excavations and the promises of futuristic luxury contrast sharply with the allegations of abuse and deaths behind the scenes.
For now, Saudi Arabia is reaffirming its commitment to the project, even in the face of formidable obstacles. As Al-Jadaan said, “this is a long term program".
But the social and economic issues surrounding Neom may determine whether he is remembered as a landmark in history or an example of unbridled ambition without support.
This city is unsustainable on its own. The residents would be millionaires who don't even cook an egg. The ones who would make the city work would be the workers who wouldn't live there.
The city is being exploited due to the lack of a concessionaire that explains what these conditions are. The workers who would make this city work would be the ones who would not live there, and the residents would have great results, whether they received aid or not. Because the government says it cannot build and solve problems by mistreating workers. Since people are being exploited and not treated as human beings, we are concerned, due to the news that Saudi Arabia is extending the construction of the city by 50 years, owing R$8 trillion, giving a large crore full in aid and movement of the value.