DOHA: The sprawling Karwa City, which is getting ready in the Industrial Area, will house more than 6,000 drivers working with MowasalatMowasalat, the state-owned public transport company in Qatar.

The major part of the QR350m project will be completed by April, said Ahmed Al Ansari, business development director at MowasalatMowasalat.

Built over a 500,000 square metre area next to the MowasalatMowasalat headquarters in the Industrial Area, Karwa City will accommodate 10,000 employees once it is completed, Al Ansari said.

"About 80 percent of the project is being completed and would be ready by the end of April. The housing units will accommodate about 6,000 of our drivers working with the Karwa taxis, buses and limousines," he said in an interview with The Peninsula yesterday.

Those drivers who are currently staying in company accommodation outside will be shifted to the new buildings once they are ready for occupation.

Karwa City has been designed as a sophisticated facility that will meet the requirements of the company's staff as well as its expanding fleet of taxis and buses.

The current phase of the project includes workers' accommodation, a commercial centre, restaurants, sports and recreational facilities, a spacious parking area and a mosque.

"The only remaining part of the project is an advanced training centre for company drivers which will also cater to the general public. The existing driving school in our premises will be shifted to the new facility once it is completed," said Al Ansari.

The driving school that is open to the public currently has about 800 students. The new facility will have the capacity to train about 2,000 students at one time, he added.

Ten three-storey housing units are getting the final touches at the Karwa City. Each unit can accommodate 618 drivers and is attached with a large TV room, besides other amenities, and green areas for the workers to relax.

The cafeteria will house three exclusive restaurants offering eastern, Arab and western cuisine. Together it can accommodate 618 people at one time, with separate kitchens for each restaurant. The eateries will offer food to the company staff at subsidised rates, said Al Ansari.

The commercial centre will have supermarkets, banks, barber shops and other facilities offering various services to the staff under one roof. The restaurants and shops will be operated by private parties under the supervision of MowasalatMowasalat.

A mosque with the capacity for 300 worshippers and a spacious parking area for Karwa buses and taxis are also nearing completion in the City. An automated car parking facility, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East is ready for opening at the premises.

Karwa City will also include a gymnasium and sports and recreation facilities for workers.

"The idea behind the Karwa City is to provide all facilities and services to our staff in one spot. Besides the convenience it offers to our employees, the City will also help increase the efficiency of our staff and reduce the time wasted on travelling to other parts of the city to fulfill their daily requirements,:" said Al Ansari.

By Mohammed Iqbal

© The Peninsula 2010

 

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