Etihad Rail Route Map
Etihad Rail serves as the UAE’s primary railway network. Established in 2009, manages the development, construction, and operation of a 1,200 km railway network connecting the seven emirates of the UAE to neighbouring GCC countries. With the completion of Phase 2, Etihad Rail Network spanning 900 km, links all seven emirates with a primary railway. The Etihad Rail track includes 593 bridges and crossings, and six tunnels. It also consists of a fleet of 38 locomotives, connecting the four ports in the UAE and logistics hubs. In this post, we will explore the essential features of the Etihad Rail Route Map.
The Launch of the UAE Railways Program
The UAE Government revealed the UAE Railways Program on December 5, 2021. It is a combined transportation system for goods and passengers throughout the country. UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were present during the announcement.
The Etihad Rail Route Map
The Etihad Rail Route Map is a 1,200 km long railway connecting all seven emirates of the UAE with neighboring GCC countries. It passes through 11 cities in the UAE, starting from the Saudi Arabia border and ending in Fujairah.
The railway network in stages:
The first stage of Etihad Rail commenced operations in January 2016. It facilitated the transportation of approximately 22,000 tons of granulated sulphur from Habshan and Shah to Ruwais on behalf of ADNOC.
Stage Two of the Etihad Rail Route Map extends across the UAE from the border with Saudi Arabia at Ghuwaifat. Thus connecting the emirates via Abu Dhabi, KIZAD, Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali Port, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras al-Khaimah, extending further to Fujairah. Use of different wagons to transport goods depending on the type of materials.
Packages A, B, C, and D
Contracts for Package A:- A joint venture comprising South Korea’s SK Engineering and Construction and China State Construction Engineering Corporation. The contract includes designing, building, civil engineering, and working on the initial 139-kilometre track stretch that connects Ruwais and Ghuweifat. Package A stage 2 project concluded, covering an area of 264 km from Habshan to Al Ruwais.
Package B and C connect three important ports in the UAE, namely Khalifa Port, Khalifa Industrial City (KIZAD), and Jebel Ali Port. This contract included working on the design, building, civil engineering, and other rail infrastructure. The network covers several routes. One spans from Tarif to Saih Shuaib (216 km) and the route connecting Jebel Ali to Sharjah (94 km).
Fourth package D: – A joint venture between China Railway Construction Corporation and local construction company National Projects & Construction. They build and plot the line from Dubai to the Saudi border.
Features of the Freight Trains
The network connects four ports in the UAE and logistics hubs. Etihad Rail operates a state-of-the-art fleet of freight trains, which are the most modern in the region. This fleet includes 38 locomotives and over 1,000 versatile vehicles, which can carry a total of 60 million tonnes of goods. Locomotives used for transporting goods operates with 4,500 horsepower, which is equivalent to 3,400 kilowatts.
Passenger Train Operations
Although the freight trains are already operational throughout all the emirates, passenger trains will commence later. The passenger trains will travel 200 kilometres per hour, linking 11 cities and areas. The passenger trains have a capacity of approximately 400 individuals per train.
Engineering Plan and Construction Details
The execution of the UAE National Rail Network will strengthen the competitiveness and unite the emirates.The extensive engineering plan for the rail network includes constructing 593 bridges and crossings, and excavating nine tunnels with a total length of 6.5 kilometers. The rail network covers various terrains, showcasing the scale of the project’s engineering feats. The construction of the railway network involved a massive excavation work of 120 million cubic meters to ensure seamless vehicular traffic flow underneath the tracks.
Etihad Rail puts safety above all else and is an essential part of its operations and culture. They connect important trade, industry, and population centres, which help boost the economy and support social development. Etihad Rail is a superior transportation option because it is faster, safer, more reliable, and better for the environment. The rail network will encourage businesses to use their resources, leading to economic benefits.
Picture Courtesy: KhaleejTimes
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