Saudi Arabia’s ‘The Line’ Faces Drastic Cuts Amid Rising Costs and Doubts

A $50 billion dream collides with reality. Insiders reveal why ‘The Line’—once a 170-km marvel—now struggles to survive its own ambition.

, and Administrator

2025 November 14 . 11:09 AM

1 min read

In this image we can see a building with some text written on it, there we can see two big tankers,... — In this image we can see a building with some text written on it, there we can see two big tankers, some metal rods, few small tanks on the field, a booth, few electric poles and cables, grass, a few trees and some clouds in the sky.

Saudi Arabia’s ‘The Line’ Faces Drastic Cuts Amid Rising Costs and Doubts

Saudi Arabia's ambitious megaproject, 'The Line', has faced significant setbacks. Initially planned as a 170-kilometer-long, mirror-clad city for 9 million residents, the project has been drastically scaled back due to engineering challenges and escalating costs.

The project, associated with the Saudi Binladin Group and Hamad Bin Khalid Contracting Company, has seen its scope reduced to just three modules from the original 20. Despite this, Neom officials insist 'The Line' remains a long-term goal. However, multiple insiders, including architects and engineers, question whether the project can be built as originally planned.

Construction work has already begun, with builders having dug trenches and installed pilings across the landscape. Yet, the project's costs have increased significantly, and deadlines have slipped. Foreign investments, initially expected to fund the project, have not materialized. So far, at least $50 billion has been spent on 'The Line'.

The future of 'The Line' remains uncertain. While Saudi officials maintain their commitment, the project's drastic scaling back and the doubts of those involved suggest a complex and challenging path ahead.