Source: news.kuwaittimes.net
KUWAIT: Under the patronage of Minister of Communications Salem Al-Utheina the Second Kuwait Metro and Rail Conference and Exhibition kicked off here yesterday, with large participation from rail, transport companies and experts from the four corners of the globe.
“This gathering of a galaxy of international transport and infrastructure experts is a great chance to mull the relevant projects which Kuwait is preparing to execute as a part of the state development plan,” Acting Communication Ministry Undersecretary Rashed Al-Mea said in the conference opening speech.
He added that the Ministry of Communication is keen to participate in the second round of the conference and exhibition.
“We believe that this participation will help develop the ministry performance in future projects,” he said.
Kuwait is on the verge of a new era in public transportation. The country is planning to develop its own rail and metro projects as part of the GCC’s wider efforts to improve public transportation networks and its connectivity with neighbors.
The project is part of the planned Gulf railway network aiming to link the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states together.
Another mega project is the Kuwait metro which involves the construction of a 160 km-long metro network with more than 60 stations along four lines running across Kuwait City. Some 65 per cent of the network will be above ground on an elevated track.
The project also includes an interchange station, electricity substations and maintenance workshops. Kuwait Metro is likely to go ahead simultaneously with the GCC metro network in Abu Dhabi and Doha. All these projects will be completed by 2018.
The government procurement agency, the Partnerships Technical Bureau, has recently invited expressions of interest in the first phase of the Kuwait metro which includes 50 km railroad, 28 stations, 30 percent of them are underground. More info
