The Line: Saudi Arabia scales back megacity plans as crown prince's ambitions falter

Saudi Arabia is severely scaling back plans for The Line, the 170km-long city that is the centerpiece of the Neom mega-project. Engineers and executives are struggling to realize Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's grand architectural ambitions, which have been criticized for their unrealistic design and high costs. The project has reportedly shrunk from a planned 20 modules to just three, with some involved now describing it as "uninvestible." The development has also drawn significant controversy over its environmental impact and the forced eviction of local communities, leading to the arrest and death sentences for tribe members who resisted.