Procedures for the first phase of Bahrain Metro covering 29 kilometres and 20 stations have started, revealed Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Mohammed Al Kaabi.He told MPs that the first phase would cover Muharraq, King Faisal Highway, Juffair, Diplomatic Area, Seef District, Salmaniya, Adhari and Isa Town.However, the minister pointed out that the government will purchase parts of 24 plots standing in the way of the Bahrain Metro project. He added the decision on the purchase of those plots is set to be announced shortly, noting that there is no need for huge land acquirement with the project running (suspended) above ground.Mr Al Ka’abi, who was responding to a question by MP Muneer Suroor on the project, stated that the total cost of the project can’t be provided now with the final bids by the seven qualifying consortiums yet to be provided.The GDN earlier reported that the project has cost the government BD7.5m until the end of last year and is expected to cost BD11.7m this year and the next as in the 2023-2024 draft budget, and BD91.3m until completion in 2029.The selected private partner will implement the project with a contract period of 35 years.“The electric trains are auto-pilot covering 109km across the country,” he elaborated. “Procedures for the first phase covering 29km and 20 stations have started, and they will cover stream arteries such as Muharraq, Isa Town and Juffair.He added that the tender for the project’s main developer would be issued whenever all final permissions by the ministries and government bodies concerned are granted.The minister also revealed work to link Bahrain Metro with the King Hamad International Station in Al Ramli District is underway and would cover 8km.“This coincides with work on the King Hamad Causeway between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia that has four lanes for vehicles and two for trains connected through the GCC Railway Network.” (ICE Doha)

Fonte notizia: Gulf Daily News