Qatar appears to be making some headway on its ambitious $36 billion railway network.

According to Al Sharq, construction on three metro stations, including in Msheireb, Al Rayyan and behind the Qatar National Museum, is expected to begin soon.

Although the overall national network isn’t due to be completed until at least 2026, the Doha Metro Red Line, termed phase 1, is slated for operation in time for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup. It will travel from the south of Doha through the city toward Lusail.

The Msheireb station, which broke ground last October, is expected to serve as a hub for the Red line, as well as the metro’s Green and Gold lines.

Demolition time

Qatar plans to spend some half a billion riyals to re-appropriate land from private business owners to make way for the rail, including in Al Saad, Najma and the Old Airport area.

According to the Peninsula, a few buildings in Najma have already been partially demolished, while others have been emptied and await razing.

Souq Khalid, near “Crazy” Roundabout, appears to be next in line for demolition, the newspapers reports. The marketplace’s 60 shops were given a Jan. 11 eviction deadline, but many tenants said they don’t plan to leave until they’re forced to.

Thoughts?