Dakar – The choice of Morocco to organize the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal is a challenge to continue the successful experience of the “Al Boraq” high-speed train line to Marrakech and even Agadir, stressed the Director General of the national railway operator ONCF, Mohamed Rabie Khlie.
Speaking at a panel on the theme “How to mobilize financing for rail infrastructure?”, part of the International Forum on Financing Rail Projects in Africa, held from October 19 to 21 in Diamniadio, 30 km from Dakar, Khlie, who is also Vice-Chairman of the International Union of Railways (UIC), said that, given the success of the “Al Boraq” TGV line linking Casablanca and Tangiers, the choice of Morocco to organize the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal represents a challenge to continue the successful experience of this line to the city of Marrakech or even Agadir.
In this respect, he said that the Al Borq line, which is adapted to Moroccan realities, is the culmination of an ambitious Royal vision aimed in particular at promoting the national economy by linking the port of Tangier Med to the national rail network, and facilitating mobility.
Khlie, who is also President of UIC-Region Africa, explained that the “Al Boraq” train line, completed in 2018, has brought about a radical transformation of the Moroccan rail system.
In this sense, he noted that it is a viable solution to meet the growing demand for people’s mobility on the axis concerned, and the availability of greater capacity to respond appropriately to the demand for goods and logistics transport, particularly that linked to the port of Tangier Med.
The ONCF General Director recalled that the components of this project included the construction of a 250 km double track, the building of 12 bridges, the establishment of two work bases and the construction of a train maintenance workshop, in addition to the acquisition of 12 high-speed trains.
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse