Etihad Rail is the new railway project that has captured the attention of the entire Emirati transportation scene. The new railway line is designed and constructed to connect the two major Emirati hubs, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, together. The two Emirates have always been pivotal to the business world, and connecting them with a time-saving, easy, and green means of transport will surely lead to the development of the entire area as the new train passes through.
Etihad Rail – UAE’s National Railway Project
Etihad Rail is the UAE’s national railway project and is part of the developmental project known as ‘Projects of the 50’ which is established to contribute to the growth and flourishment of the UAE. This network is set to connect the seven Emirates together, and then eventually link the country to the rest of the GCC countries as a part of a long-term project. Etihad Rail was established in June 2009 with the aim of constructing, managing and developing the UAE’s freight and passenger railway network. Efficiency, safety, and sustainability are at the heart of this project which is sure to boost economic and social development to the highest levels.
Etihad Rail Will Connect UAE To The GCC
What started with connecting two cities inside one country is set to expand and connect the entire country to its neighbouring countries. Etihad Rail is a part of a railway line that will enable people to travel throughout the GCC, from Kuwait to Oman, through the UAE. The entire railway network will connect UAE with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. The GCC Rail project started with each country building its own network which will be connected later to those of the other Gulf countries. When this project is finished, people will be able to take a train all over the GCC without the hassle of driving their own cars.
Passenger Train And Goods Train
Etihad Rail has two main purposes. It is going to be a passenger train along with another project as a freight train. After the completion of the passenger train network, Etihad Rail, in collaboration with Dubai Industrial City (DIC), announced the plan for constructing an advanced freight terminal that will be spread over 5.5 million square feet. This project will assert Dubai’s place as an international economic and financial hub and will also revolutionize the flow of goods all over the country through the new train network.
The new railway system adds to the importance of the passenger trains as a solution for commuters between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to save time and energy while helping the environment at the same time with this sustainable solution. By 2030, the enticing new passenger train service is expected to serve passengers throughout the UAE. The railway line will create more than 9,000 new employment while reducing carbon emissions by 70 to 80 per cent. And passengers are expected to reach 36.5 million yearly by 2030.
Major Stations Along The Way
The huge railway project stretches along 256 kilometres and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels. The future of this train will run from Ghuwaifat, on the Saudi Arabian border, to the port of Fujairah. It will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE. The first station will be located in Fujairah, in the Sakamkam area of the emirate on the country’s east coast. The Rail network will connect the capital Abu Dhabi, KIZAD, Port Khalifa, Port Jebel Ali, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, and Fujairah on the East Coast. Major stations will be Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Abu Dhabi.
Time To Each Emirate
Travelling at a speed of 200 km/h the railway line will link Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 50 minutes, While the trip from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah will take 100 minutes, passing through all the seven Emirates on its way.
A project of the magnitude of the Etihad Rail Network is sure to change the face of public transport in the area as it defines the material that the future is made of. What are your thoughts about this huge project? Are you going to be one of the people to benefit from it? Share your ideas with us in the comments!
