In a region where the railway network is sparsely developed, the Etihad Railway Project or the GCC train route is something of a priority for many in the region. The program will develop the UAE’s freight and passenger railway network safely and in a sustainable manner. The aim is to integrate industry and to connect different regions via rail.
Etihad Rail was established in 2009 and has undertaken to create a 1,200 km network of railroads. The network will extend across the UAE, from the border of Saudi Arabia to the border of Oman. The network will connect six GCC countries and will be completed by 2023 it is estimated.
There are many economic benefits of the network which will give tourists and commuters more options while letting them cut costs. The network will contribute to the economy, create jobs and connect rural areas with urban areas and link north with south. In particular, the rail network will be very beneficial for cost-effective freight moment, efficient distribution systems and development of industrial clusters.
Apart from connecting various parts of the country, there are other social benefits: trains will offer people a convenient, safe and cost-effective means of transport. This will also reduce the traffic burden on the highways.
The UAE rail network will also connect to the Khalifa Port. This will facilitate transport of cargo and containers from ports via railways to different locations. This will strengthen the UAE’s position as a commercial and logistics hub.
Various lease agreements have been signed by Etihad Rail in recent times to secure rail corridors for implementation of the next stage of development. Apart from other functions, the rail network will also facilitate the transport of construction materials from quarries to markets. In addition, there are environmental benefits: the network will reduce greenhouse gas emissions of about 2.2 million tonnes because of the number of vehicles that it will serve to remove from the roads.
The project is a high value one; with an estimated outlay of about $11 billion for the 1,200 km railroad network. As such the security of the project has to be ensured. The Sharjah Police has undertaken to ensure the safety and security of portion of the train route that passes through Sharjah.
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