Reuters reported that Qatar, host of the 2022 football World Cup invited local and international companies to signal their interest in building the Doha Metro to include 22 kilometers of tunnels and 15 stations in its Phase I.

A statement from Qatar Railways Company gave no value for the project but in June the total cost of the railway project with 100 stations would reach QAR 130 billion.

Mr Saad Ahmad Al Muhannadi CEO of QRail said that "This invitation is a major opportunity for local contracting companies to join in consortia with large international contractors to design and build six urgent construction packages that include 22 kilometers of underground tunnels and 15 underground stations in the first stage."

The world's top liquefied natural gas exporter which has not seen popular unrest like that elsewhere in the Arab world this year plans to spend over USD 125 billion in the next 5 years on construction and energy projects.

QRail is extending this invitation to all contractors with experience in the design and construction of railways including both major underground and elevated civil works to help build Qatar's planned railways and create a metro system for Doha. Enabling works which include roads and utilities diversion will be particularly critical and the Qatar Railways Company is looking to partner with contractors who can showcase relevant capabilities and experience in this area."

(Sourced from Reuters)