Significant Milestones in High-Speed Rail Development
On Monday, during a session at the House of Representatives, Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdel Samad Qiyouh, announced that the construction of the new high-speed train line connecting Kenitra and Marrakech has reached an impressive milestone of 30 percent completion. This ambitious project aims to revolutionize the transportation landscape in Morocco by dramatically reducing travel times between key cities, thereby enhancing connectivity and accessibility for citizens and visitors alike.
In his address, Minister Qiyouh highlighted that the newly designed high-speed rail service will significantly close the distances between major hubs, including Rabat, Casablanca, Mohammed V Airport, and the Grand Stadium in Benslimane, ultimately extending to Marrakech. This modern transportation network is anticipated to transform the way people travel within the country, marking a pivotal shift in Morocco's transportation infrastructure.
Investment and Future Expectations
The minister further elaborated on the substantial investment program initiated by the National Office of Railways, which totals approximately 96 billion dirhams. He noted that this figure represents the largest investment in the railway sector in Morocco over the past decade. This extensive program encompasses the new high-speed line stretching over 430 kilometers, with a budget allocation of 53 billion dirhams. Additionally, it includes the procurement of 168 new trains and an investment of 14 billion dirhams aimed at bolstering the high-speed rail system and maintaining the efficiency of the existing network.
The new rail project is expected to dramatically alter the travel experience within the kingdom. For instance, the travel time between Tangier and Marrakech, which currently takes about six and a half hours, is projected to be reduced to just three and a half hours. Similarly, the journey from Rabat to Tangier will be shortened to one hour, instead of the current hour and twenty minutes, greatly enhancing the convenience of intercity travel.
As reported by elhadat24.com.
