THE National Investment Commission (NIC) of Iraq has started tendering for a programme to build a seven-line driverless metro network in Baghdad totalling 148km.
Potential bidders have been invited to purchase official tendering documentation from NIC, priced at Dinars 100m ($US 76.37), within a 30-day period ending on March 12.
The project is being taken forward on a design, build, operate, maintain, finance and transfer (DBOMFT) basis and bids must be submitted by April 11.
Bidders must provide an economic feasibility study, a funding plan, a timetable for completing the metro network and details of similar projects executed by the bidder or its partners.
According to NIC, the driverless Baghdad metro would serve a total of 64 stations, involving the construction of underground, surface and elevated sections.
The seven proposed lines are as follows:
Green Line: Al Alawi – Doura (19km)
Red Line: Al Alawi – Maisaloun Square (27.7km)
Blue Line: Al Shaab – Al Zuafaraniya (22km)
Purple Line: Al Tayaran Square – Al Shaab (14.5km)
Yellow Line: Al Baladiyat – Adan Square (30km)
White Line: Al Kadhimiya – Al Bayaa (23km), and
Airport Line: Baghdad Airport – Al Qadisiya (12km).
The project also involves the construction of four train maintenance workshops and depots, two control centres and power stations.
On rolling stock, NIC says that each train must include a “gold class” car, as well as one for the exclusive use of women and children, and one for tourists. All cars must be accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.
Speaking at a ceremony held to the mark the start of tendering, Iraq’s prime minister, Mr Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, said that the project represents a major shift in transport policy for Baghdad, where the population is currently over 8 million.
The planned Baghdad metro would serve newly-built communities and play an important role in reducing traffic congestion, according to Al-Sudani.
New pilgrim line
NIC chairman, Dr Haider Makiya, also announced the start of tendering on February 12 for a 90km electrified line between Najaf International Airport and Karbala, with intermediate stations in the centre of Najaf and at Karbala International Airport.
According to NIC, the new line is intended to provide safe and fast mass transport for the large number of pilgrims travelling to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.
The project is also being taken forward on a DBOMFT basis and tendering will be conducted to the same timetable as that for the Baghdad metro.
Makiya said that other major investment projects will be announced by NIC later this year.
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