MUSCAT : The overall completion rate of the GCC railway linkage project has exceeded 50 percent, with the regional rail network expected to become fully operational by the end of 2030, Mohammad Al-Shabrami, Director General of the GCC Railways Authority, said on Monday.

In remarks made during a video interview with Saudi newspaper Okaz, Al-Shabrami said the timeline aligns with agreements reached among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states as work continues to advance on one of the region’s largest infrastructure integration projects.

The railway network, which stretches more than 1,700 kilometres across GCC countries, is designed to support both passenger and freight transportation, with varying operational speeds tailored to different services.

Al-Shabrami described the railway linkage as a strategic project aimed at strengthening economic integration among GCC nations by improving connectivity and facilitating the movement of goods and people across the region.

He said the project is expected to significantly enhance passenger and cargo transport capacity while also deepening social and economic ties among GCC citizens and residents.

According to Al-Shabrami, the railway network is anticipated to create new employment opportunities, support the localisation of industries, and reduce reliance on road transportation across the Gulf region.

He added that wider adoption of railway transport would help decrease dependence on heavy trucks, lowering road maintenance costs and improving the efficiency of integrated transport systems linked to air, sea and land networks.

The GCC Railways Authority chief also highlighted environmental benefits associated with the project, noting that increased train usage is expected to reduce pollution caused by emissions from heavy vehicles.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.