Drawing up a work plan and setting a timetable for carrying out the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Railway by 2018 have topped recommendations by a meeting for the bloc's Ministers of Transport Committee held here on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of Communications Essa Ahmad Al-Kandari, made the statement on the sidelines of the 18th ministerial committee meeting and the 19th meeting of the Undersecretaries of the GCC Transport Ministries meeting.
Recommendations offered by the ministerial committee cover a host of issues that are likely to help achieve a quantum shift in land and maritime transport in the GCC, he said.
The Minister noted that the GCC countries are requested to notify the GCC General Secretariat of their remarks on the project by the end of November. In addition, the policies and legislatives for implementing the project would be submitted to the GCC Ministers of Transport meeting slated for 2015 for final approval.
The GCC Railway is a vital project that we all look forward to seeing it a reality, GCC Secretary General Abdullateef Al-Zayani, told the meeting.
He added that steps for the project have made noticeable progress since the technical specifications brochure was issued in 2012.
The Gulf Railway hits AN estimated length of 2,177 kilometres, to link the six member states. The Transport Ministers approved the feasibility study for the project in October 2008.