Etihad Rail has awarded a contract to a leading Indian-based concrete manufacturer for the AED40 billion project provision of sleepers for the UAE railway project.

PCM Strescon Overseas Ventures Limited (PCM Strescon), which has already set up two factories in Saudi Arabia and supplied more than 2.6 million sleepers to the North South Railway Project of Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR), will oversee the design, manufacturing, maintenance and storage of sleepers for the project.

“We are delighted to announce that Etihad Rail will be working with PCM Strescon, a leader in the industry. This award clearly highlights that we are moving full speed ahead with the railway network – one that will transform the transport sector in the UAE,” Richard Bowker Etihad Rail CEO said.

The railways will support the export of granulated sulphur at the port of Ruwais in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

“We look forward to announcing news of further important contract developments over the coming months,” Bowker added.

The first stage of the project comes ahead of the laying of the first tracks for the 1,200km network in Q4 of 2012 and will include the 266km route linking Shah, Habshan and Ruwais in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region.

Within a projected timescale of two decades, the railway is expected to transport up to 50 million tonnes of freight and 16 million passengers per annum, connecting population centres and opening up channels for trade.