Bahrain: First Phase of Metro To Operate at 20 Stations Ministry Confirms
If things are to progress as planned, the long-cherished dream of the Metro will soon become a reality in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Transportation and Communication said that works are progressing to bring the project to fruition, which will also be a part of the 2,117km GCC Railway connecting key cities in each of the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
Yesterday, officials from the Ministry of Transportation confirmed that the first phase of the project, encompassing 20 stations over 29 kilometres, will be linked to the King Hamad International Passenger Station through an 8 km line with four stops. The project has already commenced in key locations such as Muharraq, King Faisal Street, Juffair, the Diplomatic Area, Seef District, Salmaniya, Adhari, and Isa Town.
The first line will connect the Airport to the Seef District, while the other line will connect Juffair to the educational area in Isa Town. Upon completion, the state-of-the-art Metro System, fully automated and driverless, will comprise a 109km long network. Reportedly, the first stage of the four-stage project has been awarded to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). According to DMRC, they have signed BEML (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited) for the $2 billion project.
Ministry officials yesterday further revealed that the project, in collaboration with the private sector, will have a 35-year concession contract for designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining the first phase of the Bahrain Metro. The developments came in response to a parliamentary question by MP Munir Sorour. The ministry’s reply also mentioned the upcoming launch of a tender to appoint the primary developer after receiving final approvals.
It is worth knowing that the King Hamad Bridge project, connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, will feature four lanes for cars and two lanes for trains. To acquire 24 lands The statement further announced that an expropriation decision for 24 lands to lay tracks would be issued shortly, clarifying that only a section of these lands will be acquired as the project does not require a large area. However, the final cost of the project will depend on the bidding from the participating companies in the tender.
Additionally, the ministry stated that an alliance of seven internationally renowned companies, including financiers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and train operators, are involved in the project. 13 km, 9 stops Meanwhile, DMRC has announced its plan to construct four metro lines for the Bahrain Metro in two phases. Furthermore, two interchanges, namely Bab al Bahrain and al Farooq metro junctions, will be included.
As per DMRC’s announcement, the initial metro line will connect Bahrain International Airport to Seef Mall. This route will run alongside Airport Road and the King Faisal Highway, covering a distance of 13 kilometres with nine stops. The second metro line will cater to commuters travelling between Juffair and Issa town, spanning a length of 15.6 kilometres and encompassing 11 stops, providing convenient access to various areas including Salmaniya, Zinj, and Tubli, among others. The ministry also mentioned that phase two of the project will link the King Hamad International Passenger Station in the Ramli area with the Sports City and Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in the Sakhir area, totalling 18 km in length and featuring five stops.
