It’s a very happy and positive news coming out from the Qatar Rail. It’s a proud moment for all the people in Qatar to know that the work of phase 1 of Doha Metro is almost 90 per cent complete and the civil work is substantially completing at all stations.
The mechanical, electrical and plant (MEP) and architectural work are also progressing at all stations and the official opening of the network will be in 2020, when the project’s 37 metro stations are expected to be operative, with an average journey time of two minutes between adjacent stations.
The details of the project and the techniques used, such as digital media and signage, latest self-service ticketing facilities, integrated travel planning, smart air-conditioning, full Wi-Fi coverage and others, can match or better any such services at present in the global transport sector.
Doha Metro is one of the fastest driverless trains in the world and will be the fastest in the region, capable of speeds up to 100kmph, and will deliver a safe, reliable and fast commuter service for passengers. In total, 75 trains, consisting of three cars, one of which will be for Gold and Family Class and two for Standard class, will be delivered to Doha Metro. Gold will have 16 seats, family 26 seats and standard 88 seats.
One of the major achievements of the project is the total number of man-hours worked exceeded 432 million in 2017 and achieved one of the lowest Accident Frequency Rates (AFR) in construction in the world.
Another feather in the cap is that the Doha Metro Train unique design has won the ‘Excellent Product Design’ trophy by the German Design Award. Qatar Rail Metro trains’ fusion of elegant, modern and futuristic design has proven to be an award-winning concept on a global platform as the design was awarded the Excellent Product Design under the Transportation category.
As Eng Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Subaie, Qatar Rail’s MD and CEO said: “The award is a particular source of pride not just for Qatar Rail and our partners but is indeed a nod to the proud Qatari Heritage reflected in every element of the design”.
Doha Metro has also bagged several accolades during 2017 with ITA Awards 2017 nominated under the category of “Major Project of the Year - More €500M”. Doha Metro has also been recognised by the United Nations Underground Space organisation as the world’s pre-eminent project for 2017.
The project joins the ranks of the UN’s most awarded mega projects of the world including the tunnels of the 32,690km Tibet railway in China and the Eurasia Tunnel Project in Turkey.
All these remarkable achievements of Doha Metro prove that Qatar has overcome all odds and kept the national pride riding high.
