Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi

Which have been the main projects finished over the last year?

Over the last year, Ashghal has continued to achieve operational excellence and timely delivery of its projects to create advanced and sustainable infrastructure that meets the current needs and future aspirations of the State of Qatar. Ashghal inaugurated the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, the main road artery in the State of Qatar with a total length of 29km. The new highway with 18 multi-level interchanges, 30 bridges, and 15 underpasses is an important addition to the land transport network of Qatar and a major link between the South and North. Ashghal’s Local Areas Infrastructure Program maintained the road and drainage network across Qatar through the development of infrastructure to serve citizens’ subdivisions, completing 42 projects in new areas, which will serve more than 36,000 land plots in 25 different areas of the country. With the healthcare and education sectors being our key priorities, we completed two health centers in Al Khor and Umm Al Saneem areas that service approximately 600 patients each, in addition to completing two community colleges. Introducing the latest innovation and technology within Roads Operation and Maintenance works, Ashghal implemented ground penetrating radar and asphalt recycling techniques in addition to the usage of drones to inspect drainage networks.

Which initiatives and programs have been defined in order to bring awareness about sustainability in the local community?

Ashghal is committed to adopting high standards in environment protection, recycling, health and sustainability across all our programs and projects. Promoting and complying with environmental and social standards is an essential goal within our corporate strategy and is in line with the efforts of various national institutions working towards providing a better future for the next generations as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030. To raise awareness of sustainability in our local communities, the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality launched and implemented the “Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees” initiative. The ongoing campaign aims to raise awareness among students about the importance of planting trees and preserving nature. The committee recently received the Guinness World Record for involving largest number of different nationalities in planting trees simultaneously in Qatar. We have a number of projects underway to expand green spaces across the country, such as the Doha Central Development and Beautification project which has been designed to provide cycling and pedestrian-friendly paths and crossings, which encourages visitors to use various means of transportation, and link all vital places in Doha.

How has FIFA World Cup 2022 positively impacted infrastructure development in Qatar?

In the last 15 years, Ashghal has continued to enhance the development of efficient and sustainable infrastructure in Qatar. We have been committed in ensuring that the country’s roads infrastructure is developed and upgraded to create a long term, sustainable road network that continues to support social and economic growth far beyond 2022. Ashghal has delivered major expressways such as Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, Al Majd Road, Al Khor Expressway, and Lusail Expressway and integrated infrastructure projects providing new free-flowing roads linking ports and logistical locations. Certainly, hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been fundamental in speeding up the pace of development. Our road network is becoming bigger and better every day. We created partnerships with local and international entities where we acquired advanced technical and professional knowledge and succeeded in applying it to all our projects. In our efforts to pave the road to FIFA World Cup 2022, Ashghal has completed 99% of the roads leading to the eight stadiums across Qatar. In coordination with relevant authorities in the country, Ashghal has ensured the integration of its projects with various facilities that serve the World Cup, including the Doha Metro, public bus stations, commercial, and tourist areas as well as fan zones, parks, and amusement parks. As we deliver some of the largest infrastructure projects, our purpose remains unchanged, which is an unwavering commitment to improving performance.