Absence of Competitors Halts 385 Million Dirham High-Speed Train Project
Despite significant progress in the construction of the high-speed railway line (LGV) connecting Kenitra to Marrakech, the segment involving the establishment of several new stations in the Marrakech-Safi region is facing delays. According to an official document that summarizes the minutes of the bidding committee from the National Office of Railways, the second phase of the open tender (No. 25T060.8/PLGV) has been declared "fruitless." This decision stems from the lack of any company or competitor submitting their proposals.
This tender pertains to the eighth segment of the project, which includes the construction of a high-speed train station in the Green City of Ben Guerir, a regional express network (RER) station in the same city, as well as stations in Sidi Bouathman, Sidi Ghanem, and the Marrakech stadium. The total estimated cost for these works is 385 million dirhams, excluding taxes.
This setback does not reflect the overall status of the broader project; other parts are advancing at a steady pace. In July, results were announced for the contract related to the third phase of constructing stations, technical centers, and maintenance facilities. The public works company from Casablanca (TGCC) won the bid for the construction of the Marrakech Gueliz station and the technical center in Marrakech after presenting the lowest cost offer, amounting to 562,700,463.63 dirhams (excluding taxes), surpassing its competitor, the General Works Company in Morocco (SGTM), which proposed a bid exceeding 572 million dirhams.
The office previously stated that the new high-speed train line project linking Kenitra to Marrakech is part of an ambitious vision aimed at realizing an "unprecedented transformation of the national rail system," with a total investment of 96 billion dirhams allocated for the establishment of the new high-speed line on the Kenitra-Marrakech axis, with a financial envelope of 53 billion dirhams designated for infrastructure and equipment.
The program, which enjoys special royal support, also includes the acquisition of 168 trains with an investment of 29 billion dirhams to enhance and modernize the national rail fleet, alongside allocating 14 billion dirhams to maintain the quality of services on the existing network.
As reported by hespress.com.
