Kuwait speeds up GCC railway work, eyes regional connectivity boost

Kuwait has ordered a rapid acceleration of work on the long-delayed GCC Railway, directing the Ministry of Public Works to push ahead with station designs, route planning and implementation as part of a wider drive to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration.

The decision was issued during the weekly cabinet meeting held at Bayan Palace and chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Youssef Saud Al Sabah. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sherida Abdullah Saad Al Maousharji said ministers had reviewed the latest updates on the project and agreed that progress must now move at pace.

Kuwait fast-tracks GCC railway project

The cabinet received a detailed report from the ministerial committee on public services outlining the current status of the railway. According to the update, the first stage of the project is almost complete. This includes the preliminary design of the route and four key stations: Al Shaddadiya passenger stop 110 kilometres from the starting point, a cargo station 90 kilometres away, a maintenance station 55 kilometres away and an emergency exit station located five kilometres along the line.

Under Cabinet Decree No. 1279 for 2025, the Ministry of Public Works must now accelerate implementation and submit quarterly reports detailing progress, timelines and any challenges encountered.

The cabinet framed the GCC Railway as a strategic priority that will deepen economic ties between Gulf states and reinforce collective security. Ministers praised the speech delivered by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah at last week’s GCC Summit in Bahrain, where he urged closer regional cooperation and reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to agreements with Iraq regarding border demarcation.

Ministers were also briefed on the final communique of the summit, which welcomed Kuwait’s bid to host the third GCC China Summit in 2030 and applauded Kuwait’s leadership during its presidency of the previous GCC session. Further updates included recognition of Kuwait’s designation as the capital of Arab culture and media in 2025, and recent awards for government digital services and anti-corruption initiatives.

The cabinet additionally reviewed progress on Kuwait City’s cultural course project, an 11-kilometre route linking 66 heritage, cultural and urban landmarks. The Ministry of Information was instructed to work with relevant ministries and authorities to complete procedures and begin implementation, with quarterly updates required.