Etihad Rail powers growth, connectivity

The Etihad Rail project, a 1,200-km network costing 11 billion, will be a pivotal economic catalyst for the UAE, enhancing its global competitiveness, and significantly impacting the real estate sector, says VIJAY VALECHA, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial*.

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The Etihad Rail project, a 1,200-km network costing $11 billion, will be a pivotal economic catalyst for the UAE, enhancing its global competitiveness, and significantly impacting the real estate sector, says VIJAY VALECHA, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial*.

The network, when complete, would be a 1,200-km line connecting the Saudi border at Ghweifat in the west to Fujairah on the Indian Ocean coast in the east.

THE Etihad Rail stands out as the much-awaited railway line in the UAE's long list of economic catalysts, providing crucial connectivity across the Emirates. According to the latest World Economic Outlook by the IMF, the UAE is estimated to have a $548.59 billion economy as of April 2025, which translates to $49,498 GDP per capita.

With such impressive figures, the UAE boasts one of the world's highest standards of living, underscoring its need for High-Speed Rail (HSR) infrastructure. This rapid and efficient transportation system offers a compelling alternative to conventional rail and short-haul flights, perfectly suited to serve its affluent population.

The network, when complete, would be a 1,200-km line connecting the Saudi border at Ghuweifat in the west to Fujairah on the Indian Ocean coast in the east and is estimated to cost about AED40 billion ($11 billion).

A fleet of freight trains is already operating across the UAE, carrying a wide variety of goods. A passenger rail service and a high-speed rail project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi are in the pipeline.

Recently, Etihad Rail confirmed a 2026 launch for operations of the much-awaited passenger train service in the country. Further expansion plans to enable smooth travel between Oman and the UAE by train have been announced under the Hafeet Rail project, which will span about 238 km, linking Sohar in Oman to Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi.

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