The 200-kilometre first phase of the U.A.E.-wide federal railway network will be operational in the near future to link Shah area to Ruwais area in Western Region and provide freight services, and it will be followed by the completion of two other phases by the end of 2018, announced an official from National Transport Authority on Monday.
The entire 1200-kilometre double-track network, handling both freight and passenger services will link U.A.E. to Oman and Saudi Arabia, Nazim Assad bin Taher, Director, Roads and Transport Department, National Transport Authority, said in his remarks at the opening of a workshop on the drafting of a federal law which will regulate U.A.E. railway sector.
Etihad Rail is the first national freight and passenger railway network connecting the seven emirates of U.A.E. The rail project is critical for U.A.E. being the logistic hub of the whole region, according to the official.
Representatives of different federal ministries and local government departments discussed the preparation of the railway federal law at said workshop organised at Dusit Thani Hotel.
"Preparing the said federal law is in implementation of a relevant resolution by the Ministerial Council For Services." Mr. bin Taher said that U.A.E. is working on regulating the railway sector in light of the future vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to transform U.A.E., into one of the world's best countries in various spheres.