Advancing on plans to build a long-distance passenger and freight network to connect cities within Qatar and across the Gulf, Qatar Rail has floated a tender for a company to oversee the project.
This week, the company invited bids from firms to oversee and manage the first phase of the project, as well as provide design and construction services management.
The move comes six months after pre-qualification tenders were launched for civil work on the long-distance rail.
At that time, Qatar Rail invited companies to submit their interest on separate civil works and railway systems contracts, which are expected to be awarded by the middle of next year.
The company said enabling works on the first phase of the project will start this year, but given the lengthy tendering process, it is unclear if that work will actually begin in the next few months.
Meanwhile, officials across the GCC have insisted that the rail will begin going online by 2018, but that deadline is looking increasingly unlikely for many of the countries involved.
Long-term goals
According to Qatar Rail’s website, the long-distance network will consist of five main lines that will be built in four phases:
- Freight line from Mesaieed Port to Ras Laffan;
- Mixed line (passenger and freight) from Doha to Dukhan;
- Mixed line from Doha to Al Shamal;
- Mixed line from Doha to Saudi Arabia; and
- High speed passenger line from Doha to Bahrain.
During the first phase, Qatar has been tasked with constructing 148km of freight and passenger lines running up from the Saudi Arabian border, for use by diesel locomotives.
The line would run some 71km northeast from the Saudi border before splitting.
Passenger trains would travel a further 23km to Education City – where travelers would be able to transfer to the Doha Metro – while freight service would head toward the new port and industrial area in Mesaieed.
The second phase, expected to be implemented by 2021, would extend passenger lines to Bahrain through a much-delayed causeway, and Hamad International Airport, at faster speeds.
The third phase would add links to Al Khor and Ras Laffan, and a second line to Bahrain, by 2027.
And the last phase would include additional freight lines and adding a second line to the original rail link between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Thoughts?
I strongly support the Qatar government on this, but let’s have some realism in the programme for once! Online by 2018 and Bahrain by 2021?!
Also reserve your seats now for the Dukhan line, that is going to be PACKED. 🙂
Why such a normal and basic service that is used in almost all countries takes such long time and effort to be implemented in the Gulf? Rail roads are in India Pakistan Africa and everywhere !!
I prefer walking than getting on a rail in India or Pakistan.
Suit yourself – that’s a lot of walking to do
The rail system in the Indian sub-continent is 150 years old and can be credited to the British. Not really fair to compare a system that is more than a century old with a country that is just over 40 years old.
Maybe it was not viable given the low population and advanced road networks/alternatives – rails will compete roads, air and sea.
Cannot compare with Indian rail which is a lifeline for the nation for moving its huge popln and has a annual revenue of USD 25 billion. Enjoyed some wonderful train trips in india – first class coaches have been excellent. Huge further scope in india – wish I can transport my car through rail (like in Europe)
Qatar is a toddler.
Railway lines ? How about good roads for a start ?
There is not even a proper road to Ras Laffan, a place where thousands (expats & locals) travel to every day to sustain this economy and county.