The first phase of the 264-km Shah-Habshan line under the Etihad Rail Project will be fully completed by the end of this year, said the Emirati state news agency, citing a top official.

Seven carriages and 110 wagons will run on this line, reported the Wam news agency citing His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

He was reviewing the progress along the first phase of the Etihad Rail Project, including the 140-km-long Habshan and Al Ruwais line in addition to another 20 km of detours and side tracks, which are deemed important milestones in the development of the first railway in the UAE.

The Crown Prince also viewed plans prepared by the Department of Municipal Affairs to improve the health environment of Abu Dhabi city, particularly in areas of landscaping, lawns and gardens, through the awarding of maintenance and operation contracts worth more than Dh426 million ($116 million), in accordance with the latest agricultural and irrigation techniques that reduce water consumption in line with environmental standards.

Sheikh Mohamed also discussed the progress of infrastructure works in Khalifa City, including the internal lighting project utilising 3,108 light-emitting diode (LED) poles, sewerage works and the building of pavements at a total value of Dh242 million ($66 million) as part of a project approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council last year.

He also reviewed the progress on Mafraq-Ghweifat highway and the Abu Dhabi-Dubai main road projects, the report added.