October 7, 2025, 3:07 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
What was intended as a symbol for a new era now threatens to become a symbol of hubris: As BILD reported, the futuristic mega-city “The Line,” once the centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious future plan “Vision 2030,” appears to be on the brink of failure. Construction halts, layoffs, and drastic cuts raise doubts about whether the prestige project will ever become a reality.
Gigantic Dream–Built on Sand?
With “The Line,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aimed to make a statement: A 170-kilometer-long, car-free, high-tech metropolis in the desert—futuristic, climate-neutral, and funded by the country’s oil billions. Along with other projects such as a ski resort, luxury resorts, and a stadium for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the Neom region was to become the flagship project of “Vision 2030″—an attempt to economically free Saudi Arabia from its dependence on oil.
Billions in Losses and Construction Halt
But now the ambitious plans seem to be stalling. According to the newspaper “Blick,” construction on “The Line” was completely halted in September. The luxury resort “Magna” is also affected. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund reportedly had to write off billions. Leading project managers have been withdrawn from the site, and thousands of employees have been laid off or relocated to the capital, Riyadh.
From 170 to 2.4 Kilometers: The Dismantling of the Utopia
The original vision is drastically shrinking: Instead of the planned 170 kilometers, according to “Blick,” only 2.4 kilometers of the futuristic city are now expected to be completed by 2030—if at all. The ski resort “Trojena,” which was supposed to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029, is also reportedly at risk. Insiders say the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already contacted South Korea as an alternative location.
Even the 2034 FIFA World Cup Is in Jeopardy
The development is particularly critical with regard to the 2034 FIFA World Cup, for which Saudi Arabia has been awarded the hosting rights. A spectacular 350-meter-high high-tech stadium was planned in “The Line”—equipped with the latest technology and integrated screens. But this project is now also in doubt. According to the report, Saudi Arabia is already looking for alternative locations to host individual matches.
Construction of the World’s Largest Building Halted!
Bridge Over the Red Sea to Connect Megaproject Neom With Egypt
Human Rights Allegations and High Casualty Numbers
In addition to the financial crisis, the project is under massive pressure due to human rights violations. Some media outlets report over 21,000 deaths on the Neom construction sites. Human rights organizations also accuse the Saudi government of forcibly relocating thousands of people—including members of the Huwaitat tribe—to make way for the project. However, these claims cannot be independently verified. The Saudi government vehemently denies the reported figures.
A Prestige Project on the Brink?
With the construction halt, cuts, and growing international doubts, “The Line” exemplifies the risks of gigantic construction visions without secured financing and societal support. What was intended as a symbol of progress could turn out to be a cautionary tale of an overblown promise for the future.