Qatar Rail has made significant progress in the construction of its ambitious Doha Metro project, with over 60 per cent of Phase One already completed and the first consignment of trains set to be tested by the end of the year, said a top official.

"Over 280 million man-hours have been clocked and the 10 metro civil packages have now progressed to the next stage of construction which will see all the 37 stations undergo mechanical, electrical and architectural fit-outs, a colossal undertaking and notable milestone for a landmark project," revealed Qatar Rail’s managing director and chief executive Abdulla Al Subaie.

He was speaking at a delivery alignment workshop organised by Qatar Rail to evaluate the extent of progress to date and explore all opportunities to accelerate progress and ensure its timely delivery.

The workshop was attended by the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti along with Qatar Rail’s executive management, project delivery team and its project management consultants (PMCs).

"The completion of a 4-km trackwork railway test section along the Metro Red Line, together with the extensive progress made at the main depot at Ras Bu Fontas signals readiness for the arrival of the first consignment of trains before the end of the year," stated Al Subaie at the gathering.

He pointed out that the civil structures had been 95 per cent completed, and the work would be over by the end of the year.

"The railway systems installation is on progress and the first trains will be tested on the test section of the Red Line before end of this year," he added.

Outlining the project schedule, Al Subaie said the first four rolling stock trains from Japan are scheduled to arrive in Doha before year end.

Also, three out of the 37 metro stations, have been designated as ‘pilot stations’ and are expected to be ready for final inspection by Qatar Civil Defence in December, he added.

These stations are Al Qassar Station as part of the Red Line North Underground package, Al Doha Al Jadeda Station as part of the Red Line South Underground package, and Economic Zone Station as part of the Red Line South Elevated and At Grade package.

All the three will serve as a benchmark for the integrated station model for civil, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) and systems.

Daniel Leckel, the chief of programme delivery, said: "The progress rate is remarkable. With currently over 52,000 people working to deliver the metro Phase One, the accident frequency rate (AFR) is 0.036 which is most probably the lowest ever achieved in such a mega project."

"This is the benefit of a very rigorous health and safety system and the unwavering effort of all project partners to train, educate and supervise the workforces. From the onset, safety has been at the helm of our operation," he added. -TradeArabia News Service