By Satish Kanady
DOHA: With an estimated value of $79bn transportation infrastructure project in its kitty, Qatar is in the centre of world’s construction activities. An estimated $44bn in transport projects are currently under construction in the country. Another $35bn in projects is due to be awarded over the next three years, figures revealed on the first day of ‘Meed Qatar Transportation Forum’ suggested.
Qatar Rail has awarded contracts worth QR60bn to nine joint ventures, and approximately 50 percent of the 113k tunnelling has been completed to date.
Addressing the opening session of the meet, Abdullah Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, Managing Director, Qatar Rail, announced Qatar Rail broke the world record and entered the Guinness Book for the largest number of Tunnel Boring Machines operating at the same time under one city.
A total of 21 fully operational Tunnel Boring Machines are advancing Qatar’s underground at full speed, he said.
Ed James, Director of Project Analysis, Meed forecast QR50bn for Qatar’s long range development plans (LRDP). According to Meed, the combined value of contracts awarded in GCC hit $170bn in 2014, the best-ever in the region. In terms of awarding contracts, construction and transport sector are neck-and-neck. Meanwhile, the 2015 Mena Reinsurance Barometer by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) yesterday revealed more than 1.4 trillion worth of projects are currently underway in the GCC region alone.
Abdullah Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie said the Doha Metro project is advancing as per schedule.
In parallel, construction works for the Lusail Light Rail Transit are well underway. When completed this project will enhance the capacity and efficiency of circulation and commutes within Lusail and, also, provide opportunities to create a more dynamic and ‘eco-sensitive’ urban environment.
Qatar Rail is also proceeding with the development of the long distance passenger and freight rail network that will tie into the GCC rail system. This will form an important part of Qatar’s gateway for commerce and trade activity in the GCC becoming a driving force for the Qatari economy. The project encourages intra-GCC trade which currently records an annual growth of 5 percent and will increase with the Long Distance Trains. When finished, the Long Distance project will run for a total of 2,200 km from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman. Each train will carry the same amount of freight as 400 trucks.
On the commercial and business front, Qatar Rail has proactively led on increasing private sector contributions to the rail projects, where the company has entrusted the private sector with over 70 percent of the projects being implemented until today, he said.
“As the pre-qualification process for the Doha Metro MEP and architectural works will be closing shortly, we’re looking forward to explore further business opportunities and avenues of growth for Qatar Rail...”
Recently, qualified companies for the design and construction phase of the long distance passenger and freight railway were announced, while the prequalification process for the Operation & Facility Management for the Doha Metro is significantly progressing with the target to float tenders by mid next year.
The Peninsula
