Aug 08 2010 |
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Steps afoot to extend rail network to Salalah
MUSCAT -- Oman's authorities are firming up moves to extend the proposed rail network to Salalah, underscoring the rapid pace at which the country's national rail transportation system is evolving. An extension to Salalah, originally envisioned in later stages of the project's phased development, will now be studied and pursued early on the implementation of the scheme, it is learnt.With Salalah's inclusion in the planning and eventual execution of the project, Oman can now lay claim to developing a truly national rail system that traverses the length of the Sultanate, from Khatmat Malaha on the country's border with the UAE in the north, down to its southernmost city, via Duqm on the Wusta coast. According to officials, the route alignment from Duqm to Salalah is planned via Shuwaymiyah and Thamrait. The proposed alignment will initially be the subject of a detailed feasibility study before a detailed engineering design for this stretch is commissioned by the government.
The Supreme Committee for Town Planning, which oversees the development of strategic infrastructure projects on behalf of the government, has been tasked with implementing the National Railway system. Feasibility studies commissioned by the Supreme Committee have already been completed for a roughly 1,000-kilometre-long network, to be executed in four packages. The first package covers a 280km length from Muscat to the Port of Sohar.
A 150 km branch line extending from Sohar to Al Ain will be laid in yet another package. In the third phase, the Muscat-Sohar line is proposed to be extended around 58 kilometres to Khatmat Malaha on Oman's border with the UAE. Finally, in the fourth phase, the network will be extended 520 km from Muscat to the Port of Duqm. Commuter stations on the Muscat-Duqm stretch are planned at Bid Bid, Samayil, Izki, Ibra, Sinaw and Mahawt, while an intercity station is proposed at Duqm.
The selected parties will be invited to bid for individual packages. A 'Request for Proposals' is also expected to be issued along with the invitation to bid, it is learnt. Oman's National Railway network will comprise a double track, standard-gauge (1,435mm) system with provision made for the introduction of high-speed trains, with speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour (kmph), in the future. Initially, however, passenger trains will be operated at speeds of 200 kmph, while freight trains will run at speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kmph.
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
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