Qatar railway network to be ready in 16 years
Originally published in Gulf Times on November 23, 2009
The proposed 651km network with 98 stations across the peninsula is set to change the urban landscape of Qatar
Qatari Diar and Germany-based global logistics and passenger leader Deutsche Bahn (DB) yesterday launched the Qatar Railways Development Company (QRDC), a joint venture which will build an integrated national railway network at an expected cost of $25bn, in about 10 years.
The proposed 651km network with 98 stations across the peninsula is set to change the urban landscape of Qatar. “We would like to have the best system in the world to support our economy,” Qatari Diar managing director and CEO Ghanim Saad al-Saad told Gulf Times.
The first stage of the “extremely complex project” will begin from the West Bay area of Doha with the metro and is likely to cost more than $25bn, according to al-Saad. The metro system will have a length of 300km.
The 51-49 joint venture (Diar 51%) QRDC will be the sole entity responsible for developing various models and integrating them into Qatar’s railway network which, in addition to the metro system, includes freight transport as well as long-distance passenger travel.
“Work on this (network) began 18 months ago. The QRDC will control a share capital of 700mn euros and will have an initial projected budget of QR50mn. How we will finance the project is still being worked out,” al-Saad said.
Al-Saad signed the joint venture agreement with DB chairman and chief executive officer Ruediger Grube at the Emiri Diwan in the presence of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and high-level delegations from both countries.
Officials said yesterday QRDC had already completed an initial study and agreed on the design for the integrated railway network.
The project will boost Qatar’s prospects to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
DB International regional director Stefan Herzberg told Gulf Times: “Preparatory work is launched in 2011 and construction can begin in 2012, whereby by 2021, 60-70% of the metro system and the Bahrain link can be completed.”
The first train service could be available as early as 2016/17, he added. Pages 6, 30
[Sidebar] Highlights:
Qatari Diar and Deutsche Bahn joint venture to build Qatar rail network
$25bn project includes a metro, long-distance passenger and freight lines and a rail link to Bahrain through the causeway
Work on the metro to begin in the West Bay
Project to boost Qatar’s bid to host FIFA World Cup 2022
First train service may be launched in 2016-17
As Published
