If things go according to the current plan and design, over 80% of the Qatar's metro rail will be running either underground or elevated.
Mr Ghanim Al Ibrahim Group Director of Qatar Railways Company said that "The proposed metro rail network would have four lines spread across 212 kilometers out of that approximately 42% will be constructed underground and over 38% elevated and the rest 20% on the ground."
Mr Ali Fakhro former Minister of Education, Bahrain delivered his key note address on the ambitious GCC rail network which followed several interactive panel discussion sessions, speeches by distinguished delegates and senior policy makers who discussed the strategies, policies and major challenges for the development of their national transport sector as well as the GCC integrated transport schemes.
A number of eminent speakers discussed, exchanged ideas in brain storming sessions on various topics that include Land and Maritime Transport in GCC Major Developments' and Expansion and Investment in the Railway Industry in GCC Trade and Mobility Facilitation.
Dr Ramiz Al Assar senior advisor to GCC SG said that "Ensuring GCC Railway network as an integrated project and making it as a nationalized sustainable industry, meeting uniform standards are some of the key challenges as we are looking at the GCC Railways as an industry rather than a project. Secondly how to built the institutions like railway authority, project management and training units.”
Mr Ghanim Al Ibrahim group director of Qatar Railways Company said that under Qatar's 'Integrated Rail Network' the country will have a long distance network of passenger and freight rail route of about 490 kilometers which will have 9 passenger stations and 6 terminals. Out of that 30 kilometers would be underground.
He said that the Metro Network will have 212 kilometers which will be constructed in a phased manner. In the Phase I of the Metro rail, a total of 135 kilometers is expected to be completed by 2020 which will have 53 kilometers underground and 48 kilometers elevated and have 47 stations. The Phase II will be completed by 2026.
He added that the construction will be carried out in 15 different lots and the first five designs built packages are expected to be tendered by the Q1 of 2012. Keeping in view the significance of the West Bay area it has also planned to construct a West Bay Transit System of 10 kilometers which will have 19 stations with 'park and ride facilities' connected with Metro network.
(Sourced from the Peninsula)
