Surface transport adviser Abdul Ghaffar A H Chaudhry. Right: Transport infrastructure experts meet at the 7th Annual Bridges and Highways Middle East conference yesterday in Doha. PICTURES: Thajudeen
By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
The ongoing construction of bridges, roads and highways in the country, which causes traffic snarls now, would soon contribute to easing congestion, an official of Qatar’s Ministry of Transport has said.
Surface transport adviser Abdul Ghaffar A H Chaudhry said traffic jams usually happen when massive construction projects take place in a city such as Doha.
“Surely there are delays expected but all these projects and mega projects work on achieving a less congested city,” Chaudhry said on the sidelines of the 7th Annual Bridges and Highways Middle East conference in Doha yesterday.
He said these challenges can happen in the next three to four years until infrastructure projects are handed over and become operational.
“This will be there for a couple of years until you see the road scheme finalising and more interchanges opening up,” he added.
Traffic snarls in many parts of Doha had been the subject of complaints by motorists especially during peak hours.
In the morning, for example, it takes 45 minutes to an hour for commuters reach their destinations: from their homes to offices and schools.
Chaudhry said delivery agencies such as Public Works Authority (Ashgal) and Qatar Rail are trying their best to provide the best alternative solutions for these challenges until road and rail schemes are finalised.
“These projects stamp out of how to achieve that very robust master plan for Qatar and define what projects we need,” he added.
However, the official noted that some priorities are dictated externally especially in meeting a deadline imposed by an event (FIFA 2022 World Cup).
Noting the eventual goal of the projects is to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030, he stressed the importance of holding such a conference which focuses more towards the planning and delivery of high quality highways and bridges on time.
The two-day international summit has gathered together officials and representatives from companies and providers that are changing Qatar’s urban landscape with new transport infrastructure. It features various exchanges on how to create roads, bridges and other mega projects that last 120 years or more.
Chaudhry will be part of the panel in today’s morning session titled: “Delivering bridge and highway projects on-time through effective planning and stakeholder management.”
The discussion will tackle some issues such as establishing clear communication strategies to expedite approvals and reduce project delays; how to avoid changes in requirements and scope; managing “the complexity and demands presented by the use of US and UK codes for design and construction in Qatar;” among others.
Experts from other GCC countries will also address some key issues in constructing highways and bridges.
