Bahrain experts will begin studying proposals of the Saudi-Bahrain railway project by the middle of next year, said a minister.

It is part of the GCC railway project, which according to reports is expected to cost $15.5 billion.

"Bahrain is looking forward to the GCC railway project and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway," said Transport Minister and Economic Development Board chief executive Kamal Ahmed.

However, he said it was "premature" to get into the details of the rail link, which according to proposed plans would be built parallel to the King Fahad Causeway.

"We will be sending out our team by the middle of next year to review the Saudi-Bahrain railway project," he added.

The minister was speaking during a luncheon yesterday, organised by the Bahrain-India Society and held at the Zahle Lebanese Restaurant, Gulf Hotel.

He also spoke of the BD3 billion ($7.98 billion) public transport network, including Light Rail Transport, a monorail, trams and a Bus Rapid Transport system. The proposed three-stage plan is expected to be completed by 2030.

Ahmed revealed work was underway on the initial stages of introducing Monorail Metro - similar to the one in Dubai, UAE.

"This is an important project as part of our drive to improve the entire public transport network in Bahrain," he said.

"We have to consider the cost involved and the locations for these projects and as Bahrain is a small country, we have to study all viable options available including Monorail Metro."

Ahmed said the ministry was currently working on 80 projects related to the Civil Aviation Affairs and 20 in connection with ports. Sea transportation was also an area the ministry was looking to work on, he added. – TradeArabia News Service