QR 18 Billion Annual Budget for Road Projects

Al Kabi: ‘Why most of the road projects are delayed ?’

• Contract signing for North Road soon; Lusail road most important project of the year
• «Ashghal» is a new institution established to expedite the process of infrastructure development
• We have reduced delays, faced difficulties; yet implemented projects efficiently
• History would remember all who contributed to upgrade state’s infrastructure
• Eng. Mohammed Jamal: QR Five Billion for upgrading roads in residential area

In a conversation with Ashghal correspondent, Eng Jamal Shareeda al Kabi, manager of the projects department of roads affairs of Ashghal rendered that the budget for road projects of the fiscal year 2007/ 2008 exceeds18 billion Qatari riyals, of which more than 13 billion Qatari riyals go for projects of major roads and highways.

The projects going to cast for bidding successively in the coming period include implementation of a number of road projects in different parts of the state, which will enhance an improved road network. Among the most important projects are Salwa Road (first and second phases), North Road project from (North Bridge to Al Khor Interchange covering Semeisma road, from al Khor Interchange to Al Ruwais Interchange). This project is currently under awarding stage. This mega project is expected to be assigned to an international company.

Eng Al Kaabi denied the accusation that Ashghal road projects are just on paper, they do not exist on reality, pointing out that completion of such projects re-establishing all infrastructure services require time, and they cannot be implemented between day and night.

From his part, Eng Mohamed Jamal, head of Secondary Road Projects of the projects department revealed that the budget for the secondary projects during the current fiscal year exceeds (5) billion Qatari riyals, for upgrading roads within residential areas.

These things were clarified during an interview with Ashghal with the manager of projects department in the presence of head of secondary projects. The following is the excerption:

In the beginning, Eng Jamal Shareeda Al Kaabi explained that the list contains 19 projects for major streets and highways. They are: Phase II and III of the North Road (from the North Bridge to Al Ruwais Interchange). This mega project is scheduled to bid
within the next few weeks and its work will begin in the last quarter of this year. The list also includes the fourth phase of North Road, which extends from Al Zabara Interchange to Ras Usheirej Interchange, a point of convergence of the connection bridge between Qatar and Bahrain.

Other major projects are: Doha Expressway (from E Ring to the New Airport Street), the second phase of Salwa Road (from Industrial Interchange to Al Asiri Interchange), Al Wakra Bye-Pass of Doha Expressway, Lusail Road (first phase), Doha Expressway (east-west road) third phase of Salwa Road (Midmac Interchange to A Ring), Road 55 (Salwa - Mesaeed), Dukhan International Road (from Tilted Roundabout to Bani Hajer Roundabout), the second phase of Lusail Road, Doha Expressway (F Ring), Dukhan Road (from Bani Hajer to Shahaniyya), upgrading Al Markhia street with Interchanges, East Industrial Road and Al Muntaza Extension of Doha Expressway. In addition, there
are major consultancy services for the major roads, fence protection on the road to prevent the transit of animals and constructing special crossings for them.

Secondary Road Projects
Eng Mohamed Jamal, head of secondary road projects section, stressed on the importance of the role played by his section in upgrading roads within residential areas and roads that link between different zones.

According to him, half of the budget for secondary projects is allocated for Doha city and the list of projects includes the following:

Upgrading roads in Khalifa Town South (zone 34), upgrading major roads in zone No (46), upgrading roads in the zones (43), (44) & (56), third and fourth phases of upgrading of roads in Khalifa Town North and Al Markhia (zones 32 and 33), upgrading roads in the industrial area, the third phase of road works in zone No (1300), zone (56)& Al Muntaza (zone 24); first and fifth phase of upgrading roads in New Salata (zone 40); upgrading roads at Al Sadd and Al Mirqab (zones 38, 39); construction of roads
and infrastructure at Mesaimeer (Valley Housing); road improvement works in Doha municipality and consultancy services in Doha city.

The budget allocated to the roads at Al Rayyan and Al Garaffa hit approximately 1.8 Billion Qatari riyals. The list of projects at these zones includes:
upgrading roads in zone No.(51), link roads at New Ezgavai, internal roads in West Muaidher, Bani Hajer and Eastern areas of Al Luqta (area 52); upgrading main roads at Abu Sidra, internal roads amid Muaidher, construction of roads and infrastructure at Bani Hajer North; development of roads at new Sailiyyah (first phase), Al Waab
Complex Road, road improvement works at Al Rayyan municipality, consultancy services for roads at Garrafa and Al Rayyan. Projects within Al Khor
and Al Thakhira municipality include upgrading major roads in Al Khor and Thakhira towns and various road improvement works.

The projects to develop roads at Al Wakra include streets in the north and south of the town (zone No 1 & 4), upgrading roads in Al Wakra South, upgrading roads in northeast Wakra, road improvement works in Al Wakra municipality and consultancy services
for Al Wakra town. The list also contains several secondary road projects in a number of villages and offshore. Some of them are: road improvement works at Umm Salal municipality, construction of a road (C 2) in Al Kharitiat, upgrading roads in the south
and east of Al Kaaban; upgrading roads in Shamal town (first phase), road improvement works in Al Dahayin municipality and consultancy services for road development in offshore zones.

Projects on paper?

Eng Al Kabi also explained that the roads affairs of Ashghal include three major departments: projects, maintenance & designs. All the three departments
participate in the implementation of the projects mentioned so far.
He pointed to the existence of a large number of projects related to general traffic, maintenance of internal and external roads, street lighting, and all these are being implemented through the maintenance department. No one can deny the
efforts of the department in the maintenance of the main streets of the state, which fall within the functions and responsibilities of the Authority.

He said that the list of these projects also include establishment of an electronic control room (Greater Doha), the traffic maintenance works, land lines of the south of Greater Doha and beyond, improvement of traffic signals and renovation of old model street lighting.

On passing, Al Kabi also touched the public criticism that Ashghal projects just exist on paper, not on the real ground. He pointed out that this notion is due to lack of awareness, lack of knowledge on artistic culture and engineering, and lack of knowledge about the nature of road projects. The public may think that all these projects can be accomplished in a record time. Then they see the bad condition of streets in various regions of the state, some of them dilapidated and outdated as rain reveal flaws
immediately, whether they are major streets or streets within residential areas.

He added saying, “It is not fair to describe the projects as mere ink on paper. H E Eng Zayed Mansour Al Khayarin, board member and managing director of «Ashghal» has clarified earlier that 30% of the five-year plan projects have already been achieved. Many of the projects were embarked in the implementation and contributed to
the improvement and development of traffic in the State. Examples are Al Khafaji Intersection, Ahmad bin Ali Street, Airport main road, Ahmed bin Ali Street and dozens of other projects.

Work is also under way on a number of mega projects such as 22February Interchange and Al Amir Street, Industrial Interchange, D Ring – E Ring Interchange
etc. Virtually Doha city has turned out to be a huge workshop. Wherever on the street you find projects implemented by Ashghal, not just in roads sector but in drainage and building sector too. He added saying that the value of project contracts completed
since its inception until last May amounts to more than 10.7 Billion Qatar riyals.

Here, Eng Mohammed Jamal added that the department has completed a number of projects such as Al Khafaji Street. A number of projects are soon to be implemented in Al Rayyan, Al Manasir, Al Murra West, Salah al Din Street and Al Khor Corniche Street. Works have also started for implementation of Meseimar road project costing 277 million Qatari riyals. The project is located in Zone No 56 and connects Halul Street
with Wholesale Market Street from the South East. This project also includes extension of pipelines for surface water and groundwater, which are found in excess in the state with a diameter of 3 meters. Another importance of this project is that it connects F-Ring road and Air force Roundabout. The department has also started some other projects
in the areas of New Salata and Al Hilal comprising all infrastructure services.

He also pointed out to the starting of works of the project «Al Duhail Street Extension», which is located along the border of Qatar University. The importance of this project lies in linking the northern areas of the state with its western areas, whereas now the residents of northern area can pass to western side only through Doha city. Then he turns attention to one of the major projects executed by the section, which is to upgrade and improve roads at Muaidher area, where the project is cast for tender. The implementation is expected to start this year itself.

Eng Jamal Shareeda Al-Kaabi also remarked, “Exposing these projects before the public does not mean pleasing them; it is due to the policy to have a communication with the public, because they do reserve a right to know about Ashghal projects.” He acknowledged that the road projects are delayed and clarified with all transparency «Yes, most road projects are late,» adding, «But due to uncontrollable reasons and circumstances,» stressing that «we do not absolve ourselves from responsibility ... and we do our best efforts for coordinating with all service departments for the comfort of the public.» He explained that «Ashghal» is re-establishing infrastructure in the state. In the implementation of a road project, almost 50% to 70% of works are infrastructure related. The work is not just to prepare the ground and putting layer of asphalt and footpaths. These works do not require a long time. Nevertheless, the problem lies in the re-establishment of all infrastructure services like electricity lines, water pipes, telephone lines, sewer systems, groundwater and surface water, in addition to some security services.

Addressing the public he said, «Like you, we also suffer from traffic jams due to delayed projects, but let us expect the best to come» and asked «Why don’t we suffer a few years to relieve more, and to serve future generations?»

“One reasons that has contributed to delay in the implementation of road projects is the acute shortage of raw materials and the sudden rise in their prices, emphasizing that the delay in project implementation is not limited to the Authority, but to many other state institutions. However, the public focuses on Ashghal because it is closer with
them. There is not a single house in Qatar without a connection with «Ashghal» projects.. There are many mega projects to be implemented by Ashghal, but lack of contractors on one hand and paucity of raw materials on the other leads to the delay in their start-up.” He commented.

The manager, however, explained that Ashghal does not stand idle; it has sought to address the obstacles and problems and works out for solutions. “For example, we have begun working on several projects in a single package so that we can attract international companies for their implementation. These companies are not willing to work in the projects that cost less than 100 million or 200 million Qatari riyals. They are attracted by major projects such as the upgrading and improvement of Muaidher road, where we have cast tender to domestic and international companies alike in one
package or one phase. Whereas, previously we were implementing the projects calling tenders for phases one after another.”

Al Kaabi also acknowledged that what is being implemented today could have been done years ago, but people should not blame its responsibility on Ashghal. It is a recent institution started to implement its five-year plan nearly two years ago.He said the issue now is not that why these projects were not implemented before, or why they are implemented at a time now. But the issue is that the State in the stage of accelerated growth needs a rapid development in the infrastructure sector and the Public Works Authority has been established to achieve this goal.

“The public seems to have believed that «Ashghal» was established many years before while the truth is the opposite. It started functioning formally on 1st April 2005, and within a short period, it was able to implement several large-scale projects efficiently and shortening the timings.”

In the end of the talk, Eng Al Kaabi stressed the role of media in raising public awareness on Ashghal projects and its positive impact on the future. He lauded the media for publishing the official statements of Ashghal, and their positive contribution to promote Ashghal projects.

However, he expressed reservation to the act of some media who transfer observations and public complaints related to the functions of other bodies to the responsibilities of «Ashghal,» which misleads the public. Citing an example, he pointed out to
the infrastructure related excavations in various regions of the state. The public believe that all theses excavations are for Ashghal, whereas other bodies such as Kahramaa, Q Tel etc also have similar projects. During rainfall, cracks occur on the streets, especially in residential areas. Although the responsibility of maintenance of these streets is with
the municipalities, everyone blames Ashghal for it. Al Kaabi agreed that implementation of road projects at this time would lead to overcrowded streets and the volume of traffic jams will increase. This itself necessitates the need to speed up the process of expansion of roads, bridges and tunnels, various interchanges in order to develop a better road network that cope with the economic growth and urban population in the state. He then asked «which is better: suffer from traffic congestion for temporarily or for ever?» pointing that the recently achieved projects such as Ahmed bin Ali Street,
Suhaim bin Hamad Street, Airport road and Al Khafaji Interchange has contributed in streamlining traffic. Successive completion of other projects would save the purpose better.

Al Kaabi also called columnists to address issues related to the Authority accurately and objectively. Many writers ask Ashghal to complete the projects, which do not fall under its domain. The Public Relations Department is communicating with those writers to clarify the functions and responsibilities of the Authority, so as not to fall into confusion,
and thereby convey wrong picture of Ashghal to the readers.

In conclusion, the manager of projects department of roads affairs comments: “History shall remember all who contributed to the development and improvement of the road network. However, these contributions do not confine only on the engineers
of Ashghal, but also on executing companies, workers, in addition to the other service agencies such as Kahramaa, Q Tel, Woqod, customs & ports, Ministry of Interior, especially traffic department and ‘Lakhwiya’ internal security force.»

Read more here:-

http://www.ashghal.gov.qa/English/Ashghal/Ashghal_Magazine/Documents/ashghal%20%20E%204.pdf