As of May 2025, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious $1 trillion megaproject, The Line, remains a focal point of global attention, embodying both visionary urban planning and significant challenges. Conceived as a 170-kilometer-long, 500-meter-tall linear city within the NEOM development, The Line aims to redefine urban living by eliminating cars, roads, and carbon emissions, all powered entirely by renewable energy .Current Construction Status
Despite the grand vision, progress on The Line has been markedly slower than anticipated. Originally projected to house 1.5 million residents by 2030, revised estimates now suggest that only a 2.4-kilometer segment, accommodating approximately 300,000 people, will be completed by that time . This adjustment represents a significant scaling back from initial plans. The Sun
Construction efforts are ongoing, with the establishment of a SAR 700 million (approximately $186 million) concrete factory by Asas Al-Mohileb to support the project’s foundational needs . As of early 2025, nearly 1,000 out of over 30,000 foundation piles have been placed, indicating the early stages of development.
Financial and Operational Challenges
The Line faces substantial financial hurdles. Fluctuating oil prices and reduced revenues from Saudi Aramco have strained the kingdom’s budget, leading to reconsideration of funding allocations for megaprojects like NEOM . Consequently, the project’s completion timeline has been extended, with full realization potentially taking up to 50 years, pushing completion into the 2070s.
Leadership changes have also occurred, with NEOM’s CEO, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, stepping down amid these challenges. The project is now under review, with potential delays of 6 to 12 months being considered.
Environmental and Social Concerns
Environmental experts have raised alarms about The Line’s potential impact on local weather patterns. Structures like the linear city and artificial islands could alter wind and rainfall dynamics, exacerbating storm conditions in the desert . Additionally, the project’s environmental footprint is under scrutiny due to emissions from cement use and reliance on combustion engine machinery.
Socially, the project has been marred by reports of forced displacements and human rights violations. The Howeitat tribe, indigenous to the area earmarked for NEOM, has faced evictions, with some members reportedly executed for resisting displacement . These actions have drawn international criticism and raised ethical concerns about the project’s implementation
Future Outlook
While The Line represents a bold vision for sustainable urban living, its realization is fraught with complexities. Financial constraints, environmental risks, and social controversies pose significant obstacles. The project’s success will depend on addressing these challenges transparently and ethically, ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of human rights and environmental integrity.
As Saudi Arabia continues to pursue its Vision 2030 goals, the world watches closely to see whether The Line will become a model for future cities or a cautionary tale of overambition.
