Qatar Rail will start working on its ambitious Doha Metro project following the approval of its masterplan and design by the Emir of Qatar.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani selected the “Vaulted Spaces” design which is derived from the historic Islamic architecture by using the old Islamic arch element in a modern architectural way.

The Emir visited the Qatar Rail office and went through the architectural designs of the Doha Metro, the progress of the execution phases and work flow of the construction phase, presented through models and charts.

He viewed the six proposed designs and master plans of the Doha Metro stations and subsequently selected the final design of the stations, said a top official.

Abdulla Abdul Aziz Al-Subai, the managing director at Qatar Rail and chairman of the Executive Committee said: “We are proud of the Emir's visit to Qatar Rail, as we consider it as an encouragement to us all and a motivation to put more efforts in order to provide a project which reflects the position of Qatar as a leader in the region in this field.”

"With this mega project, we are meeting Qatar’s ambitions and vision in creating a country that keeps pace and progress to that of the developed countries," he remarked.

Speaking on the design, CEO Saad Ahmed Al-Muhanadi said one of its key elements is that it gives the exterior side of the station, a vital shape by using modern bright materials to stimulate the interior of the oyster.

"The levels of the station will be opened to each other to give passengers the feeling of comfort, also merging the functions of lighting and ventilation in the shapes of the arches," he explained.

According to him, work has already started in 20 out of the 25 station sites and emergency exits. "These include excavation work, where it has reached 5 meters in some sites, while in other sites, enablingworks have started," said the top official.

The work on the passenger and freight rail as well as the Doha Metro will be executed simultaneously, revealed Al-Muhanadi.

The distance covered by long distance trains will be around 350 km, while the expected speed of passengers’ train is 220 km/h and 120 m/h for freight, he stated.

"The 254-km Doha Metro Project will connect the capital to all major cities. The expected speed of the metro is 80 km/hour inside the cities while outside the city limits it will be 160 km/hour," he added.-TradeArabia News Service