Etihad Rail plans to construct its first passenger train station on the United Arab Emirate’s east coast. The station is to construct in the Sakamkam area of Fujairah, which is near the city centre, said the reports on Thursday, 23 June.
The chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, visited the 145-kilometre stretch of line that is being constructed from Sharjah to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
During the visit, which began in the Al Suyoh area in Sharjah and ended in Sakamkam, Sheikh Theyab reviewed significant landmarks on the project’s route. These include the rail bridge in the Al Suyoh area in Sharjah, a stop in Fujairah to see the Al Bithnah bridge and many tunnels that pass via the Hajar Mountains.
This shows another significant step forward for Etihad Rail’s network, with the railway line between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, completed in March.
Once functional, passenger trains will move at speeds up to 200 kilometres per hour and can carry over 400 people, connecting 11 cities and areas around the UAE.
No date has been made available for the start of the passenger service, but authorities have stated that over 36 million people will utilise the service annually by 2030.
Sheikh Theyab, who, along with the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei, also saw the signing of a deal between Spain’s CAF company and Etihad Rail for manufacturing, designing, supplying and maintaining passenger trains for the rail project that was around Dh1.2 billion ($326.7 million).
Sheikh Theyab highlighted the support and guidance of the President, Sheikh Mohamed, for Etihad Rail’s ambitious nationwide project in recent years.
He also praised the deal, which is a significant step forward in developing the UAE’s passenger service.
“The agreement was signed in the Sakamkam area, where the first passenger train station will be constructed in the heart of Fujairah city,” said the sources.