{
  "id": 10169738,
  "title": "Small town, big dreams: How Etihad Rail will put Sharjah's Al Dhaid on the map",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/small-town-big-dreams-how-etihad-rail-will-put-sharjahs-al-dhaid-on-10169738",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-27T02:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/09/27/small-town-big-dreams-how-etihad-rail-will-put-sharjahs-al-dhaid-on-the-map/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Al Dhaid, an unassuming city in Sharjah, is set to gain national prominence with the opening of an Etihad Rail passenger station on September 30. This oasis town, known for its date palm plantations and fruit farms, will be connected to the country's national railway network, transforming it from a tranquil retreat into an accessible cultural hub.\n\nAl Dhaid, the third-largest town in Sharjah, boasts a rich agricultural heritage, growing strawberries, dates, limes, guava, and mangoes. Its history dates back centuries to the traditional falaj irrigation system. The town's cultural significance reached new heights in late 2023 when its fort and falaj system were inscribed on the Islamic World Heritage List.\n\nThe new railway station will serve as a gateway to Al Dhaid's rich history and natural beauty. Adel Fathi, a senior financial controller at Daraysh Hotel and Restaurant, anticipates that the improved accessibility will attract more visitors, including families, business travelers, and tourists. The Al Dhaid Bridge and Lake Project, along with the Al Dhaid Multi-Modal Trade Corridor, will further enhance the town's appeal as a logistics and transportation hub.\n\nLocated on the border between Al Dhaid and Falaj Al Mualla, the station is approximately 5km from the town center. With a population of just under 40,000, Al Dhaid is poised to become a significant destination for both residents and tourists alike.",
  "summary": "A small and unassuming city in Sharjah is about to step on to the national stage. The historic oasis town of Al Dhaid, long celebrated as the agricultural heart of the emirate's Central Region, is to become home to an Etihad Rail passenger station on Wednesday, September 30. It will connect the town to the country's national network, turning it from a tranquil desert escape to an accessible…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Etihad Rail Dubai-Abu Dhabi: Fares, stations and what to know before launch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/etihad-rail-dubai-abu-dhabi-fares-stations-and-what-to-know-before",
        "published": "2026-09-25T12:22:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Business",
        "title": "UAE petrol prices, Dubai rents, Etihad Rail launch: 10 stories you missed this week",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/uae-petrol-prices-dubai-rents-etihad-rail-launch-10-stories-you",
        "published": "2026-09-25T21:17:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Construction Week Online",
        "title": "Etihad Rail reveals Dubai-Abu Dhabi train timings ahead of September 30 launch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/etihad-rail-reveals-dubai-abu-dhabi-train-timings-ahead-of-september",
        "published": "2026-09-29T07:20:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}