HAFEET RAIL, the developer and operator of the Joint Omani-Emirati Railway Network Project, last month (October 8) began tunnel excavation work in the Al Hajar Mountains in the Al Buraimi Governorate.

This marks a major qualitative launch for one of the most critical and transformative stages of the project, reported ONA.

Hafeet Rail said it has achieved a series of key milestones in the execution of this strategic cross-border project, confirming that work is proceeding steadily and as per the schedule. Detailed design work has been completed.

Access roads leading to the tunnel entrances have been constructed to allow heavy equipment and construction materials to reach the sites, it stated.

Hafeet Rail said drilling and blasting work is currently under way at the tunnel entrances in preparation for the full excavation phase.

Following the completion of the civil work for the tunnels, subsequent phases will involve forming the track structure and laying the rails.Hafeet Rail said it has already received its first shipment of railway tracks via Sohar Port, a significant achievement reflecting continuous progress toward the rail-laying stage.

In parallel, construction work is advancing in other areas, including excavation, backfilling and infrastructure such as the implementation of 881 wadi drainage culverts and 57 bridges, some reaching heights of 34 m, it added.

Meanwhile, Hafeet Rail has signed an agreement with Oman-based  Asyad Logistics to provide an integrated container transport service along the Oman-UAE rail network.

This comprehensive service encompasses freight transport, port operations, customs clearance, cargo consolidation, and final last-mile delivery, it stated.

Through this partnership with Asyad Logistics, Hafeet Rail will ensure the integration of all supply chain stages into a single, efficient and sustainable service.

It underscores Hafeet Rail’s commitment to collaborating with a wide network of port operators and logistics partners across the regio reinforcing the role of railways as a fundamental pillar in the Gulf connectivity system, it added.