Progress on Morocco's High-Speed Railway Project
In a significant development for Morocco's transportation infrastructure, the 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 a completion rate of 30%. This initiative is part of a broader national program aimed at enhancing the railway network across the country. During a session at the House of Representatives on Monday, Qiyouh highlighted that this project is integral to a vision focused on modernizing transport systems and linking major urban and economic hubs with a network of high-speed trains. The line will connect key locations, including Rabat, Casablanca, Mohammed V Airport, the Ben Slimane sports complex, and ultimately Marrakech.
To support this ambitious project, the National Railway Office is implementing an investment program estimated at 96 billion dirhams—making it one of the largest investments in the transport sector in the last decade. The new high-speed line will span 430 kilometers and is budgeted at 53 billion dirhams, alongside the acquisition of 168 modern trains and enhancements to the existing railway network. Qiyouh emphasized that this development is expected to significantly reduce travel times between various cities, with travel from Tangier to Marrakech decreasing from approximately six and a half hours to just three and a half hours. Similarly, the journey from Rabat to Tangier will be streamlined to about one hour, down from one hour and twenty minutes, while the transfer time between central Rabat and Mohammed V Airport is projected to be around 35 minutes, and travel from Casablanca Airport to Marrakech will take no longer than 55 minutes.
Future Plans and Enhancements in Rail Transport
Regarding the extension of the high-speed rail line to the south, the Minister confirmed that studies for the Marrakech–Agadir project have been completed, with most of the upcoming work related to engineering structures in the Atlas Mountains, particularly bridges and tunnels. The ministry, in partnership with the National Railway Office, is actively securing the necessary international funding for this project, which is estimated to cost around 55 billion dirhams.
Additionally, Qiyouh announced that the suburban train project, known as the "RER," has also reached a progress rate of approximately 30%. This initiative is vital for improving urban mobility and reducing congestion by enhancing public transport services, with trains expected to operate at intervals of as frequently as every ten minutes on certain lines. In a related effort, plans have been unveiled to establish a factory in Beni Mellal dedicated to the maintenance and manufacturing of railway locomotives, with a local integration rate of 62%, aimed at bolstering national industry and enhancing export capabilities in the future.
Concluding his remarks, the minister noted improvements in performance metrics, with train punctuality exceeding 87% and customer satisfaction ratings surpassing 80%, according to available data. These developments underscore Morocco's commitment to advancing its railway infrastructure and enhancing the overall quality of transportation services across the nation.
As reported by akherkhabar.ma.
