Morocco’s King Mohammed VI launched a series of major rail infrastructure projects in Casablanca,part of a broader national mobility plan valued at 96 billion dirhams ($9.3 billion).
The new initiatives,worth 20 billion dirhams,aim to improve urban and regional connectivity across the Casablanca metropolitan area and support Morocco’s long-term sustainable development goals.
The program includes the construction of three next-generation railway stations,10 new suburban train stations,upgrades to five existing stations,260 kilometers of new rail lines,50 bridges and overpasses,two technical centers,and five maintenance workshops.
A total of 48 new trains will be acquired to serve regional and suburban routes.
The Casablanca-South station,whose construction began Wednesday in the Hay Hassani district,will be a key intermodal hub. Designed to handle 12 million passengers annually,it will feature six platforms and 10 tracks serving high-speed,regional,and airport express trains. The station will also connect with tram,bus,and taxi networks.
Two other major stations are planned: one near the Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane,and another at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport. Together,the three stations will be completed within 24 months.
The suburban rail network will include three main lines totaling 92 kilometers,with trains running every 7.5 minutes. Ten new stations will be built by 2027,including stops in Mohammedia,Zenata,Sidi Bernoussi,Ain Sbâa,Hay Mohammadi,Mers Sultan,and Nouaceur.
The airport express service will link Casa-Port station to Mohammed V Airport with 15-minute intervals,while regional services to El Jadida and Settat will run every 30 minutes.
South Korean firm Hyundai Rotem will supply the new trains and establish a manufacturing plant in Morocco to support the country’s growing rail industry and future export ambitions.
Officials say the integrated rail plan will boost daily mobility,reduce carbon emissions,and contribute to economic development and job creation.
United News - unews.co.za