A new transportation corridor is taking shape between Oman and UAE with the construction of a new railway. The $2.5 billion dollar Hafeet Rail project is 40% complete in April 2026 and is set to bring a new era of rail transportation in the Middle Eastern nations.
The railway corridor is 238km-long, and when operational, it will transform into a regional transport, offering a faster, efficient and sustainable mode of travel for people and goods between the major cities of the region.
40% Project Completed
The construction of the railway between UAE and Oman is now in full swing with extensive earthworks and on-ground construction being undertaken. Large scale earthworks have been undertaken and the team is now taking up the task of tunnels and bridges to negotiate mountainous elements.
The project is 36 bridges and over 2,500 metres of tunnels, highlighting the scale and complexity of the project. This is crucial to provide a smooth and rapid train ride on a challenging route.
The railway project is currently on schedule and a number of construction sites are running in parallel so the project can be completed on time.
Route links Oman to UAE
The rail will connect Sohar to UAE’s major areas including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This route will also link up with Al Ain and Al Buraimi.
This link is designed to strengthen transportation and logistics for people as well as goods, connecting industrial zones, ports and cities. It will connect to the UAE’s national railway, creating a regional network.
Travel Time and Speed
What people are most looking forward to about the Hafeet Rail will be the speed at which it will travel. The passenger trains will reach speeds of 200 km/h, greatly reducing the commute time.
For example, the Sohar to Abu Dhabi journey will be cut down to only 47 minutes. This is a major improvement over the current travel time of a couple of hours (depending on the traffic) by road.
Goods trains will be able to transport cargo at speeds of up to 120 km/h.
When Will Customer Services Commence?
While it is proceeding at a good pace, it is likely that passenger services will be launched only after the project is complete with early plans for 2016.
Freight services might be the priority at first and passenger services might start once the system is up and running. It allows a safe and efficient start up of the railway.
As the project approaches its completion, passengers will start seeing information about fares, schedules and train stations.
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Why is The Railway Corridor Important?
The railway project between Oman and the UAE is more than a commercial concern, it’s a strategic development project. It will link up manufacturing and trading hubs for better trade tourism and state co-operation.
For businesses, the railway will reduce time and cost of transporting goods by providing a quicker means of transportation. It will also offer a comfortable and fast mode of transport for tourists.
It also promotes the sustainability agenda by shifting towards using public transport to curtail car and air travel.
FAQs
1. What is Hafeet Rail project?
It is an inter-state railway project between Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which will connect the cities of Sohar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
2. What is the level of completion of the project?
In April 2026 the project was 40% finished.
3. What is the train’s timetable?
It will begin to operate in 2026, with passenger trains expected to run after the project’s completion.
4. What will the maximum speed of the trains be?
Maximum train speeds for passenger trains will be 200km per hour (km/h) and for freight trains 120km/h.
5. How long will it take to travel from Sohar to Abu Dhabi?
The trip from Sohar to Abu Dhabi will take 47 minutes.
News3 weeks ago
