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Tribune News Network
Doha
For Qatar Rail, 2017 has been a year of significant milestones — it completed more than 73 percent of the Doha Metro project and 69 percent of the Lusail Tram project.
The year also saw the company completing all the civil engineering works of the projects and making substantial progress in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works and architectural fit-outs in stations.
The overall MEP works progressed to 56 percent last year, while they entered the final testing and commissioning stage on the Red Line up to Al Qassar. Internal fit-out and façade installation in the elevated sections of the Red Line was also completed during the year.
Last year, Qatar Rail laid tracks on the Red Line up to Al Qassar and all of the elevated parts of the Green Line, in all covering 106 kilometres. Meanwhile, it also laid rail in the depot and powered up the first sections of the mainline. The first sections of the Red Line are now being operated for testing and commissioning.
The company also had endurance test runs of coaches for up to 25,000 km in 2017. The medium voltage cabling on the first section of the mainline and depot were subjected to similar tests during the period. Platform screen doors, an essential safety feature of the system, also underwent endurance testing, with more than 1 million cycles having been performed on them.
The first four trains of the Doha Metro were delivered on August 19 2017, ahead of schedule. Another 16 coaches were delivered in the following months.
"This momentous occasion is a symbol of Qatar Rail's resolve and a sign that the project is progressing quickly despite all challenges," a Qatar Rail statement said.
Testing of trains also began on schedule and residents can soon see the trains running on the completed viaducts.
These achievements and the continued success of Qatar Rail are still more notable when considering the challenges posed by the blockade.
World-leading safety record
More than 73,000 workers — an increase of around 23,000 from 2016 — put in 432 million man-hours for the projects last year, with one of the least accident frequency rates (AFR) ever achieved on such a mega project.
Qatar Rail started the year with an already low AFR of 0.036. Through the incredible efforts of all involved this figure has been reduced further to just 0.026 by end of last year.
"With such a huge workforce, safety is and must be at the very heart of everything Qatar Rail does. Strong leadership, commitment to safety and rigorous safety systems have created a true culture of safety (at the project sites)," the Qatar Rail statement said.
Qatar Rail's safety record has been internationally recognised and several of Qatar Rail's projects have received awards for their safety performance.
While the year saw the Lusail Tram project winning the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award for the second time in a row, the Doha Metro Gold and Green Lines won the RoSPA Silver award and Major Stations won the RoSPA Guardian Angel Safety Award.
"Qatar Rail and its partners will continue efforts to improve this performance through unwavering commitment to training and education of the workforce and its proper supervision," the statement said.
Int'l recognition
Further international recognition for Qatar Rail came in 2017 when the International Tunneling Association (ITA) named the Doha Metro"Major Project of the Year" in the category of projects exceeding €500 million.
The project won the award after being shortlisted alongside other prestigious mega projects, including the Confederation LRT (Canada), Delhi Metro Line 3 and Tehran Metro Line 6.
These awards are recognised as the highest in the world for tunnelling and underground projects and are given only after consideration by an esteemed jury including some of the foremost experts in those fields. This award shows the true magnitude of Qatar Rail's achievements and its dedication to delivery at the highest international standards.
World-class team
The Qatar Rail's achievements in 2017 are the result of the efforts and commitment of its world-class team of staff, consultants, contractors and suppliers.
"The team is proud to be a part of these leading international projects. They are fully committed to successful completing and delivering the project on time. These efforts have resulted in Qatar Rail's best performance to date," the statement said.
Delivery teams are now fully integrated through the implementation of joint control rooms at each of the major sites led by Qatar Rail.
Qatar Rail has also trialled key systems and processes at three pilot stations and shared their findings across the network so that these lessons do not have to be continuously relearned."Through these efforts, the overall rate of progress for the project has doubled since the beginning of 2017. Progress on key systems increased even more significantly; for example, by 200 percent for telecoms and by 500 percent for signalling in comparison with the beginning of last year," Qatar Rail said.
"Qatar Rail recently held its annual town hall meeting. In the past, these meetings have been for employees only. For the first time, contractors and consultants were invited to attend and address the Town Hall in 2017. The meeting showcased Qatar Rail's remarkable achievements in the year, including project progress and challenges tackled, and focussing on objectives and strategy for 2018.
Qatar Rail Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Abdulla al Subaie recognised the professional excellence and invaluable contributions made by the team by giving awards to 50 employees. The recipients were selected for their exceptional commitment to Qatar Rail's mission and values.
Mitigation of siege impact
Qatar Rail reacted very quickly and decisively to the unjust siege imposed on Qatar by its neighbours in June last year. The impact and risk caused by the blockade were identified and the leadership acted swiftly to overcome these challenges. A taskforce was established to deal with blockade issues and Qatar Rail worked closely with its supply chain and other stakeholders to mitigate the immediate impacts.
Qatar Rail supported its supply chain by agreeing to simplified customs clearance procedures for shipments. Deliveries have been expedited and red tape reduced for increased efficiency. Qatar Rail ensured enough shipping capacity on key routes by having direct charters. Approximately 82,000 tonnes of building components were delivered to Qatar between June 5 and November 31, 2017. The projects also saw increased use of air freight for critical deliveries and this was essential for the success of the pilot stations.
In addition, a number of manufacturing and assembly activities were moved to Qatar last year. These included the fabrication of glass-fibre ceiling panels, assembly of control panels, manufacturing of structural steel and others. This has reduced pressure on port, eliminated shipping risks and has had the added benefit of developing local industry.
Prompt and far-sighted action by Qatar Rail meant the impact of the blockade has been cushioned. These challenges could have had a negative impact. Instead, they have spurred greater efforts and resulted in increased self-sufficiency and resilience. This was achieved with the support of Qatar Rail's highly capable project partners, including leading international and local contractors and consultants.
Qatar Rail is fully committed to the Qatar National Vision 2030, and the country's efforts and initiatives to encourage the local private sector.
Almost 84 percent of all subcontracts awarded to date have been given to Qatari companies. Moreover, local companies are represented in nearly all of Qatar Rail's top-level joint ventures.
Goods and services supplied by local companies include 11 million cubic metres of excavation, 3.6 million cubic metres of concrete, 600,000 square metres of duct-work, 13,000 km of cables, and 8,000 pieces of low-voltage switchgear.
2018 a crucial year
Qatar Rail has set ambitious goals for 2018. These targets focus on delivering projects on time and within budget. All remaining MEP and architectural fit-out works for the Doha Metro will be completed this year, with overall Metro progress to reach 90 percent.
