Multiple routes proposed in India-Middle East-EU corridor, but multi-billion-dollar project comes with its share of challenges

Official sources said that a study was conducted to establish the extent of already existing and under-construction railway lines

Days after India, U.S., Saudi Arabia, UAE and other countries launched the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), officials said many of the details are still being ironed out, and multiple route options are being considered that will include ports like Haifa in Israel and Piraeus in Greece, The Hindu has learnt.

Among the ports that could be connected on the west coast of India are Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai). In the Middle East, at least five ports have been shortlisted to be connected to the Indian ports which include Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE as well as Dammam and Ras Al Khair ports in Saudi Arabia. “Multiple routes are being considered to prospectively reduce the freight load on one route,” official sources told The Hindu. It is to be noted that apart from government-owned ports, both Mundra port in India and Haifa port in Israel are privately controlled by the Adani Group, and have been highlighted in proposal documents that The Hindu accessed.

Also read: What purpose does the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) serve? | Explained

The onward rail route connectivity from five ports in UAE and Saudi Arabia stretching up to Haifa port in Israel will be a mix of already existing Brownfield projects and fresh Greenfield projects to connect missing links.

Official sources said that a study was conducted to establish the extent of already existing and under-construction railway lines in the Middle East cutting across UAE and Saudi Arabia, while missing links have been identified, which will need fresh construction.

For instance, a 605-km network extending from UAE’s Fujairah to Ghuweifat on Saudi border is under construction as a part of Phase-2 of the Etihad Rail project, which aims at transporting both freight and passenger traffic. However, there is a missing link between Ghweifat and Haradh, which will need to be constructed. Further, Haradh and Riyadh Dry Port are connected via rail and there is also an existing 1,242-km long line from Riyadh to Qurayyat managed by the Saudi Arabia Railways. “There is a missing stretch between Qurayyat in Saudi Arabia and Beit She’an in Israel which will have to constructed,” the official said.

Of the total rail route length of 2,915 km stretching from Fujairah Port to Haifa, there are missing portions of 1,095 km, with work in progress in 536 km. Hence, 559 km still has to be constructed. Similarly, proposed rail routes from Jebel Ali port to Haifa span 2,565 km, with 745 km lacking connectivity. Here, work is already in progress across 186 km.