The GCC rail network

GCC to get rail network

Rail is definitely up and coming in the Middle East. While air travel may be growing at an exponential rate in the region, many countries and emirates are investing in rail and metro system to improve their infrastructure and economy.

Qatar, for example, is heavily investing in an ambitious metro and rail project that could see high-speed rail transport transform the emirate into a major contender for the 2022 football World Cup. As such, it has made the likes of the Gulf Cooperation Council sit up and that notice.

In Kuwait, it was announced by Saad Al-Muhailbi, in charge of the Kuwaiti Municipality department of structural planning, that were plans for a GCC state rail network. This rail system would link up Kuwait City with Al-Dammam in Saudi Arabia, the Bahraini capital Manama, the Qatari capital Doha, the UAE capital Abu Dhabi and the Omani capital Muscat.

Costing US$11 billion, this regional project would greatly improve the area's transport links and would only benefit the economy with both people and cargo able to move easier around the various states.

It is something that has always hampered the region, despite record breaking investment over the years and massive infrastructure project, the internal transport system has always been found wanting. However it recent years, the idea of a GCC rail network has gathered more and more support.

As emirates such as Dubai ploughed ahead with their successful metro systems, many other states followed suite and the past year has seen a flurry of rail and metro projects.

Connecting the GCC

For the GCC network, there are several potential routes the project could take connecting the six GCC countries. One idea would see two lines connect the region; the first of the two lines would cover approximately 1970km, starting in Kuwait and stretching through Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and down to Oman.

The second would be a 1984km line stretching between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman.

Whatever the final plan is, one aspect of the network will see it link up Kuwait City, Al-Nuwaiseeb, Al-Abdali, the airport, Al-Shuaiba and Boubyan ports.

Cost is expected to be equally shared among the countries, but Kuwait has already said it will contribute US$880 million.

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Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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