Public Works Authority (Ashghal) will invest QR100bn ($27.5 billion) in infrastructure development projects in Qatar within the next five years, said Nasser Ghaith al-Kuwari, manager of the Drainage Projects Department and assistant manager of the Highway Projects Department. He was addressing members of the Qatari French Business Club at La Cigale Hotel.
Al-Kuwari said: "Ashghal is the responsible entity for planning, designing, building and delivering the infrastructure projects and the public buildings of national importance. It plays a role in supporting socio-economic growth in as much as to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 through the implementation of infrastructure projects and by conforming to Qatar's socioeconomic goals."
He added that Ashghal had engaged with a number of leading international partners to ensure world-class management and delivery of all buildings and infrastructure projects.
"The national expressway program would deliver 900 kilometers of new roads with a number of underpasses, flyovers and multilevel interchanges. This involves 32 projects and 240 intersections. They will be completed by 2017."
According to him, the Lusail Expressway alone would cost $1bn. "The project will have eight lanes with three major intersections and two canal roads. Similarly, the Doha Bay Crossing will be another landmark of the country which is set to be completed in 2019-2020."
The official also said that the country would be divided into five zones to accelerate the work. The five zones are Doha West, Doha North, Doha South, Qatar North and Qatar South. "It has been launched as part of a comprehensive plan for infrastructure development, and development of the roads and drainage networks at the five major regions," he said.
"The program targets implementation of more than 200 local roads and drainage projects within the coming five years."
There is also the strategy of upgrading the sewerage infrastructure of Doha city. It is a major deep sewerage canal interconnecting the local sewerage lines. Ashghal will also complete 18 hospitals as well as health centers and 45 public buildings during this period.
Gulf Times
15 May