Sunday, Jan 08, 2012
Gulf News
Muscat Oman’s ambitious 1,061-km railway project, which is on track, will boost economic growth and sustainable development in Oman as well as the GCC region, according to Dr Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Futaisi, Transport and Communications Minister.
Pointing out that the project was well on track, the Omani minister said the technical and financial offers submitted by the pre-qualified companies were currently under study. “The decision to award the contract would be taken in cooperation with the tender board,” he said.
He said the railway project will facilitate trade and the promotion of industries between the six GCC members.
“The project serves as a new model for transportation, as it has the ability to transport large quantities of goods and a large number of travellers for long distances among the GCC member states,” he said, adding that it was expected to generate job opportunities for GCC nationals.
The line will be connected with the UAE via a border point, Khatmat Milaha, that links Sohar to Fujairah (58km). “To ensure better connection with airports, ports and power plants, the railway tracks will include a number of sub-stations at Buraimi, Sohar Industrial Port, the central train station in Muscat, near Muscat International, and Ibra.
Testing
The line will also connect Buraimi and Al Ain to Sohar, Sohar to Muscat, and Muscat to Duqum.
He said studies to test power for the trains (diesel or electricity) were on.
The minister said, “The line has been designed for 200 km/h for passenger trains and between 80 to 120 km/h for freight trains.” He said the project infrastructure would be ready by the end of 2017.
Staff Report
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
