The General Establishment of the Hejaz Railway, under the Ministry of Transport, is implementing a developmental vision aimed at reactivating rail transport, expanding passenger and freight services, reviving tourist trips, and investing the establishment's real estate assets in developmental and service projects, thereby contributing to supporting the national economy.
These directions reflect, according to the establishment's vision, a transition from merely preserving the legacy of the Hejaz Railway to utilizing its historical, real estate, and operational potential in developmental projects that combine updating the transport sector, enhancing investment, and stimulating tourism.
Rail Linking and Trade Enhancement
The General Manager of the establishment, Mohammed Al-Ajmi, clarified in a statement to SANA correspondent today, Monday, that the establishment bases its plans on its historical legacy and status, seeking to restore its role in the transport sector, develop its capabilities, and convert its assets into real opportunities for development and investment, thereby achieving added value for the national economy.
Al-Ajmi indicated that the rail linking project is at the forefront of the establishment's investment projects, aiming to develop the southern axis of the Hejaz Railway and transform it into an international freight corridor linking Damascus to the Jordanian border, opening horizons to enhance rail transport movement and commercial exchange in the region.
Suburban Trains and Congestion Solutions
In the context of developing public transport, Al-Ajmi pointed out that the suburban train project constitutes an important step towards connecting areas surrounding Damascus city to its center, by utilizing the establishment's existing tracks and providing a more efficient public transport means that contributes to alleviating pressure on the road network and reducing traffic congestion, while reintegrating the train into the urban and semi-urban transport system.
He explained that the establishment's future plans include linking the Green and Red Metro lines at Al-Hijaz Square, and launching four passenger rail lines to the suburbs; the first towards Qudsaya then Damour, the second towards Muadhamiya then Qatana, the third southwards towards Deir Ali and Kiswah, while the fourth line connects Al-Hijaz Station to the Damascus International Exhibition and Damascus International Airport.
Rail Tourism and Real Estate Assets
The establishment's projects are not limited to passenger and freight transport, but extend to reviving tourism via trains. Al-Ajmi highlighted work on a tourist train project aimed at operating trips via routes distinguished by their natural and heritage value, transforming the train journey into a comprehensive tourist experience that allows visitors to enjoy nature and discover surrounding sites, thereby enhancing tourist movement and activating related services.
He added that the establishment also looks forward to developing the idea of operating old steam trains within tourist routes, benefiting from experiences of countries that preserve this legacy and utilize it to stimulate tourism, such as the United States and the Czech Republic, thereby combining the historical value of trains with the enjoyment of the tourist experience.
On the investment side, Al-Ajmi clarified that development plans include utilizing the establishment's real estate assets, and converting some of them into service centers and developmental projects in Damascus city and Daraa governorate, thereby enhancing the economic return from these properties and allowing their employment in activities that serve society and the economy.
He emphasized that these projects fall within a comprehensive vision combining the development of transport infrastructure, reviving rail tourism, enhancing public transport, and investing real estate assets, stressing that the establishment's goal is not limited to reactivating what existed, but goes beyond to build new opportunities and convert its potential into productive projects that contribute to supporting the national economy.
The history of the Hejaz Railway dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when it formed one of the most prominent transport and linking projects in the region, contributing to facilitating the movement of passengers and goods and linking Damascus to wide areas reaching the Hejaz.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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