One of Bahrain's most strategic mega infrastructures, Bahrain Metro, has kicked off with phase one of the project covering 20 elevated stations in key parts of the kingdom. The multi-million project's first phase will witness the development of a 109km rail transit network with two lines (29 km) with 20 stations.Details were announced by Bahrain's Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Mohammed Al Kaabi who told legislators late last month that the ambitious project's first phase is underway."The first phase of the project will be tendered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with a contract period of 35 years on design, build, finance, operate, maintain, and transfer (DBFOMT)," said Al Kaabi.Al Kaabi revealed that seven consortiums have qualified, and the tender for the selected developer will be granted after strict scrutiny and approvals from government entities.Details on Bahrain's Tender Board's prequalification register list the firms specialised in mass rapid transit, including firms from India, China, France, and Italy.These include consortia such as the China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, China Railway Construction Corporation International Limited, and China Railway Group Limited.Two Italy-based companies that have expressed interest are Hitachi Rail STS and WeBuild, while two French companies participating are Five Capital and Alstom Transport.Indian companies listed are Larsen and Toubro Limited and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited.The planned ridership of the Bahrain Metro in the initial years of operation is expected to be around 200,000 per day, as it expects motorists to shift to the new rail system.This is crucial with Bahrain's projected population to grow from more than 1.6 million this year to 2.1m by the year 2032, according to a government forecast.The project is in line with the tiny Gulf state's 2030 Economic Vision and further cements the 'Gateway to the Gulf' position as the Bahrain Metro will link to the 2,177km GCC railway network via the King Hamad International Terminal in Al Ramli area. (ICE Doha)

Fonte notizia: Cityscape