Monday, Oct 05, 2015

Dubai: Officials overseeing the construction of the GCC rail network, which will connect all six GCC countries, will meet on October 15 to assess whether the project will have to be postponed or will indeed be completed by 2018 as scheduled.

The entire network when completed will span over 2,100km and will provide an alternative means of travel around the peninsula.

The UAE is currently developing the Dh40-billion Etihad Rail project, which will eventually connect with the rest of the GCC railway. The 1,200-km line, originally planned to be completed in 2018, will link major industrial zones, cities and ports in the UAE. According to the Minister of Public Works, Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE has already built 264 kilometres of the 1,200-km network across the UAE, from the border of Oman to the Saudi border.

The minister was speaking At the Meed Mena Rail and Metro Summit, a three-day event that began on Monday at The Address Hotel in Dubai Marina.

Al Nuaimi added that the UAE plans to build a comprehensive mass transport system, which will include the railway, to connect all cities in the country. “The UAE plans to support and develop sustainable transport by providing a comprehensive mass transport system, including rail, tram and Metro line to link the UAE cities,” he said in his opening speech. “Such developments of the country’s mass transport system will help reduce traffic and help in protecting the environment,” he added.

Al Nuaimi also said policies have been put in place to encourage the use of public transport, including dedicated bus lanes, paid parking lots and dedicated pedestrian areas. Walking and cycling will be encouraged and plans to provide the necessary infrastructure are being implemented, he added.

“The development of sustainable transport in the UAE will be a major qualitative and quantitative addition to the region’s transport sector,” Al Nuaimi said, adding that “it will be an integral part of our vision towards a comprehensive transport system that helps realise the hopes of our countries and people for prosperity, collaboration and security.”

He also noted that the Federal Transport Authority is overseeing safety standards and regulations relating to sustainable transport solutions within the country. The designs have already been finalised and have been presented to the UAE cabinet.

By Razmig Bedirian Staff Reporter

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