The National Railway Office (ONCF) of Morocco has finalized a significant contract for the construction of five new high-speed railway stations as part of the ambitious project connecting the cities of Kenitra and Marrakech. The contract, awarded to the construction firm Jet Contractors, is valued at around MAD 437.6 million, excluding taxes. This initiative falls under a broader investment program aimed at expanding the railway network and enhancing its infrastructure, thereby improving connectivity across the country.
The scope of this contract includes the establishment of a high-speed train station in the green city of Ben Guérir, along with a regional rapid transit station in the same area. Additionally, the project encompasses the construction of stations in Sidi Bou Othmane, Sidi Ghanem, and the Marrakech Stadium, all of which are integral to the expansion of railway services along the Kenitra-Marrakech corridor.
According to the results announcement for the open tender number 26T053/PLGV, Jet Contractors secured the contract by submitting a financial offer of MAD 437,575,645.85, excluding taxes. This bid was recognized as the most economical among those that met the stipulated administrative and technical requirements outlined in the tender documents.
The financial value of the winning bid surpassed the initial estimates set by the ONCF for this project, which were around MAD 385.24 million, excluding taxes. This reflects a significant difference of over MAD 52.3 million, representing an increase of approximately 13.6% over the estimated costs.
This contract further solidifies Jet Contractors' presence in Morocco's railway infrastructure projects, as the company had previously won a contract in March for the construction of the future railway station at the Grand Stadium of Benslimane, with a financial offer amounting to MAD 415.5 million, excluding taxes.
The development of these new stations aligns with the ONCF's extensive investment program, which totals MAD 96 billion. This initiative includes enhancing railway infrastructure, expanding the fleet of trains, and improving services offered to passengers. Specifically, the program allocates MAD 53 billion for infrastructure and equipment related to the high-speed line between Kenitra and Marrakech, while also earmarking MAD 29 billion for the acquisition of 168 new trains. Furthermore, MAD 14 billion is designated for maintaining service quality and ensuring the sustainability of the existing railway network.
Through these strategic investments, the ONCF aims to enhance the national railway network’s capacity and improve intercity connectivity, addressing the growing demand for railway transport services while bolstering the infrastructure readiness for the major projects underway in the Kingdom.
As reported by hespress.com.
