KUWAIT CITY, Dec 26: The Public Authority for Roads and Land Transport has progressed significantly in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries' railway project. The committee responsible for evaluating consulting office tender bids has concluded its assessment, recommending the selected global office that won the tender. This marks a crucial step as the authority moves forward to prepare the necessary tender documents and initiate the project's implementation shortly.

Khaled Dhawi, Acting Director General of the Roads and Land Transport Authority announced the completion of the evaluation of technical offers for the Gulf Railway Project's advisory study tender. The authority has recommended a global office based on technical criteria and the lowest price. The advisory study is set for 12 months, followed by a 30-month project implementation tender. The proposed timeline indicates the completion of Kuwait's segment by the end of 2028. Ten international consulting offices competed, with the study committee endorsing the technically proficient and cost-effective bidder. The Authority had earlier finalized conditions for the detailed study and design project, launching the consultative tender for design on January 15th.

He mentioned that the Gulf railway route spans approximately 2,117 kilometers, commencing from Kuwait in the north, traversing all Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and concluding in Muscat, Oman, to the south. The initial stage, related to Kuwait, stretches 111 kilometers from the Nuwaiseeb center on the southern Kuwait-Saudi Arabia border to the main passenger terminal in Al-Shaddadiya, located behind Kuwait International Airport.

The train's operational speed is set at 200 kilometers per hour, with diesel as the designated fuel as per the GCC agreement. The single-track railway accommodates both passenger and cargo transportation, featuring a right-of-way spanning 200 meters.

The project's inception dates back to 2009, initiated by the decision of the Cooperation Council Heads of State Summit, endorsing the proposal to establish the railway. Emphasizing its significance, the project acts as a crucial link connecting GCC countries, streamlining the transportation of goods and passengers among them.

1. Facilitating trade and economic collaboration in land transport for passengers and goods among GCC nations.
2. Fostering the growth of local and Gulf economies while creating investment opportunities.
3. Cultivating social bonds between the GCC country's citizens.
4. Cutting the expenses associated with transporting goods and passengers.
5. Minimizing road maintenance costs and promoting sustainability by reducing vehicular traffic.
6. Mitigating carbon emissions by decreasing the reliance on trucks for transporting goods.
7. Lowering the occurrence of traffic accidents through a reduction in passenger and goods trips on roads.
8. Opening up labor markets and enhancing transportation services across GCC countries.
9. Aligning with the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.
10. Initiating the redevelopment of areas adjoining the railway track.
11. Generating new employment opportunities for citizens.

Originally, the General Authority for Public-Private Partnership Projects undertook the study and execution of the project, conducting a feasibility study in 2016.

The envisioned implementation approach involved a partnership with the private sector, utilizing the Design-Build method. However, a significant development occurred with Cabinet Resolution 1249/2021, which reassigned the project, along with all its components and stages, to the "Roads" Authority.