DOHA: Qatar has earmarked massive sums to modernise the road network and launch other related infrastructural projects to broad-base the population and ensure an all-round development of other parts of the country, a press statement issued by Ezdan said yesterday.
The major decision by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is likely to prove a big stimulus to the real estate sector growth.
According to a report published by the Urban Planning under Ashghal, as much as 41 percent of the budget has been allocated to develop the major public projects, which will facilitate the expansion of the country's infrastructural landscape in conformity with the 2030 Qatar National Vision.
Once the major public projects completed, the real estate projects of Ezdan Group and Barwa Group in those areas are expected to experience a huge boom and may attract a large number of people in Doha to spread out in these areas in search of healthy and comfortable lifestyle.
The focus of the infrastructural development will be zoom in on the New Doha International Airport, the New Doha Port and Qatar railway line along with the road and sanitation projects surrounding these important future symbols of growth and prosperity.
According to the report, the Urban Planning will spend QR70bn in the next eight years for creating flawless road system, drainage and other required facilities in these areas with strong hopes of pushing the economic growth of Qatar further by several notches.
Urban Planning has stressed a great deal on the expansion of Qatari skyline horizontally, not vertically. It has also identified 22 projects related with the roads and sanitation sectors to provide the best of living conditions to all Qatari residents.
It has planned to spend about QR45bn on improving and creating roads and about QR25bn has been set aside for sanitation and drainage system and other related facilities. When the projects are commissioned, this will significantly reduce the traffic woes that are facing the Qatari residents at present.
Urban Planning has planned to connect Al Wakrah and Wukair with Doha with multi-lane roads, which will help people cover the distance between the Doha International Airport and these two areas approximately within 10 minutes.
At the moment, the real estate developers are observing the progress of the infrastructural projects with keen interest and drawing their future strategies.
The Project No 17 in Al Wakrah and Wukair, according to the Qatar's Transport Master Plan, appears to be the most significant road project which will link Al Wakrah with Doha through a 24-km metallic road. It will be completed at an estimated budget of QR1bn.
The Ezdan Group and the Barwa Group are likely to be the major real estate players in future. Both Ezdan and Barwa have their integrated commercial and residential projects in Al Wakrah and Wukair.
Ezdan, under the guidance of Ezdan Group Chairman Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, had long ago started to concentrate on areas outside Doha, which was already becoming key working area for both national and international companies.
The Ezdan Group is playing a key role in the Qatar's vibrant economy. Shortly, the Ezdan Villages will serve as the Athletes' Village for the Pan Arab Games, which are scheduled in Doha from December 9 to 23.
More than 8,000 players and officials will be housed in the Ezdan Villages in Wukair and provided with all possible integrated facilities to make their stay comfortable, enjoyable and memorable.
The Ezdan Villages will be linked with Doha through a road which will help the Pan Arab Games players and officials cover the distance within seven minutes. The road will further stretch to Abu Hamour area, making the travel for thousands of residents much easier.
The Ezdan Group has also signed a massive contract with 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup to provide housing facilities. Under the agreement, the Ezdan Group will create 50,000 residential units of various sizes to those who would be coming for the World Cup football, biggest single-sport championship in the world.
The global championship has given a new impetus to the growth and there is an estimate that the infrastructural projects in Qatar, including the railway project, would cost about QR200bn in the next 12 years.
© The Peninsula 2011
