The Saudi Arabian Cabinet has given the nod for the first cross-border electric high-speed passenger railway that will link its capital Riyadh with Qatar’s Doha. The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the rail network across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The 785-km route lies in some of the harshest desert terrain and will involve extreme engineering tactics, including sand mitigation, construction of extensive viaducts, elevated tracks and aerodynamic sand barriers.
Since the line is electric, the line will necessitate the installation of a continuous Overhead Catenary System (OCS) and a series of high-voltage traction substations (TPS) spaced at regular intervals through remote areas.
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Connection Riyadh and Doha
The planned railway line will connect Riyadh and Doha and other key stations in Hofuf and Dammam. It will also link King Salman International Airport in Saudi Arabia with Hamad International Airport in Qatar. Once operational, the train will travel at speeds exceeding 300 km/h, which means the journey time between Riyadh and Qatar will be only two hours.
A strategic investment, the railway line is expected to serve more than 10 million passengers annually, create over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, and add approximately $30.7 billion to the combined GDP of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The authority recently announced plans for a 2,117-kilometre freight railway linking all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by 2030, positioning rail as a backbone of regional trade and logistics. Beyond passenger travel, the Saudi-Qatar line will support cargo movement, lower transport costs and strengthen regional supply chains, easing pressure on road transport while stimulating tourism and logistics sectors in both countries.
The project is considered not only a diplomatic gesture but a strategic plan to shift regional transport away from the 600-kilometre desert highway and short-haul flights, towards a high-capacity, sustainable electric traction system.
