Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the Indian engineering and construction conglomerate, has been awarded a $350 million (to $701 million) contract by Etihad Rail Company, the developer and operator of the UAE’s integrated railway network, for  the design and building of freight handling facilities at seven strategic locations across the country.

In a statement, the Indian group said that the design and build contract for the freight facilities package has been won by L&T’s metallurgical and material handling strategic business group, against stiff international competition.

It added that this was a major breakthrough project for L&T in the Stage 2 expansion phase of Etihad Rail. The project will be executed in a joint venture with Power China, it said.

L&T stated that the scope of work for the project includes the design, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of bulk material handling systems (Rail loading and unloading systems). This is in addition to associated civil and structural works, bulk material storage facilities, general cargo and container handling facilities with freight terminal management and control systems.

All the freight stations will include railway siding and track works apart from other infrastructure works such as bridges, buildings, roads & drains, water and electricity utility systems, it added.