Oman Daily Observer reported that ambitious plans for the implementation of a national rail network which were stalled for the last 6 months following the cabinet reshuffle earlier this year are now back on track with the Tender Board floating a tender for the key design package.
Ten leading engineering firms have been prequalified to participate in the design and construction supervision package. They were shortlisted from a total of over 30 firms that sought to prequalify for the prestigious design consultancy package.
Tender Board official said that while the Tender Board declined to disclose the names of the prequalified parties, the Observer has learnt that the shortlist is made up of the following: China Rail, Cowi & Partners, EGIS Rail, Hyundai Engineering, ILF Consulting Engineers, ITALFERR, Korea Rail, KOTRA, Mott MacDonald & Co, Parsons and Prointec Group. Intimations to the prequalified parties will be faxed in a day or two.
It was not immediately clear if and when authorities planned to float the equally important Project Management Consultancy package which according to market observers, should have preceded the Design tender if not floated simultaneously. Ten firms have also been prequalified to bid for the Project Management Consultancy package, if indeed the tender is floated at some point. The Supreme Committee for Town Planning is overseeing the current design consultancy phase of the multi billion dollar scheme.
Oman's National Railway Network will initially comprise of the following five segments: Muscat - Sohar (242 km), Muscat - Duqm (486 km), Sohar - Al Ain (166 km), Sohar Khatmat Malaha (58 km) and Duqm - Salalah (646 km). In future stages, linkages are also planned to Adam, Nizwa, Ibri, and other locations that will be identified based on a National Spatial Strategy Study currently being undertaken by the Supreme Committee.
The selected Design & Supervision Consultant will establish the system parameters, and operating plan and design standards, as well as prepare the preliminary design for all the elements of the railway project. Upon approval of the preliminary design, the consultant will then proceed with the detailed design of the alignment and infrastructure; bridges, culverts and tunnels; railway stations and yards; rail track and overhead electrical infrastructure, among other elements.
The National Railway network will comprise a double track, standard gauge system with provision made for the introduction of high speed trains with speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour in the future. Initially, however, passenger trains will be operated at speeds of 200 kph, while freight trains will run at speeds ranging from 80 kilometer per hour to 120 kilometer per hour. The trains will run on electrical power, supplied through overhead electrical infrastructure that will be built along the length of the network.
(Sourced from Oman Daily Observer)
