Qatar Allocates QR159 billion to Develop Railways Infrastructure - Minister

Doha, November 25 (QNA) - HE Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, who is also head of the Middle East and North Africa Region of the International Federation of public transport has underlined that under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al -Thani, Qatar has a clear vision about bringing better systems and technologies in the world for the benefit of our people and our society. Speaking at the opening of the UITP MENA Public Transport for Large Events and Taxi Conference, HE the Minister said that Qatar is currently working on the development of advanced transport infrastructure in the country which will not only help us to prepare for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but it will be a legacy for our people and our country and would enable us to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 ". He added, "In order to achieve the national vision for 2030, we began to build the Doha Metro network of world-class with 4 integrated lines track the total up to 233 km and 96 stations. In the first phase, the network will run a length of 84 km, and will include 38 stations by 2019, and will provide a light rail transport in Lusail integrated network which would reached up to length of the 32 kilometers track and includes 35 stations, this project is connected to Doha Metro, HE the Minister Al Sulaiti noted. He the Minister said the long-distance passenger and goods train will be connected to the rail of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), where Qatar has allocated Qatar QR159 billion to develop the infrastructure of the railway, and we are also working on the development of the railway sector in Qatar through the development of local Qatari companies in the service of entire region and not only our country, he noted. On the infrastructure and roads, HE the Minister said that Qatar has currently about 2,500 kilometers of highways and the set plan is for 8,500 kilometers of highways by 2020, in addition to public transport buses lines. He added that the local roads now extend to 9500 km area, and the set plan is to increase this area to cover 34 thousand kilometers by 2020. We currently have 160 bridge that connecting roads, it is expected that the number of bridges would reach 200 bridge by 2020, in addition to increasing the number of tunnels from currently one tunnel to 32 tunnels in the future. Also being built are tracks for walking and cycling services in parallel with modern roads, along with the improvement of local roads program, HE the minister added HE the Minister of Transport stressed that work is underway to improve public bus service and infrastructure besides a plan of action is being prepared within this framework for a period of five years, where Qatar has allocated QR 5 billion for this business over the next five years, to develop the current fleet of 400 buses in the public transport company to a network of safe and effective 2000 buses, as well as all that needed to achieve the necessary supporting infrastructure such as integration with the Doha Metro, and bus parking sites, Air-conditioned buses, and stations equipped with utilities. "The new port project which worth QR 27 billion would be a logistics portal, to provide marine transport routes and railways in the region and further promote the development of local industries. It will develop the capacity of Hamad international airport, which was opened recently, and will be linked with the Doha Metro network and long-distance train passenger and cargo, as well as public buses and taxis to become actually an integrated transport hub ", HE the Minister said. HE the Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti said this biennial Conference which is being hosted in collaboration with the International Union of public transport, is the second time to be hosted in Doha, organized by the transport company (Mowsalat) . He stressed that the purpose of this forum is to exchange best practices and technologies in the field of public transport and transport in General, with the aim of providing a world-class transport system in the Middle East region. (END)