Kenitra — The Kenitra-Casablanca rail link, considered the most used railway line of the national network, was reinforced on Saturday thanks to the projects launched by HM King Mohammed VI to provide it with a modern infrastructure that makes it possible to absorb the substantial rail traffic flows.

The projects, which are an integral part of the 2010-2015 programme contract signed between the State and the National Railway Office (ONCF), consist of tripling and renovating the Kenitra-Casablanca rail line and upgrading the station site.

The tripling and renovation project provides for building a new 100 km electrified track, upgrading existing facilities (rails, catenary, signals) and enhancing security by removing crossings on the line, building several pedestrian bridges and developing underpasses.

The 4.5 billion dirham project is expected to generate about three million working days during the construction works and approximately 280 jobs during the operational phase.

The second project aims at relocating industrial rail operations outside the city of Kenitra and supporting urban development in the province by carrying out a structuring real estate project around the station.

The 320 million dirham consists of building a new generation passenger station that would accommodate a traffic estimated at 9.5 million people by 2015 and 18.6 million by 2025.

The station site upgrading programme also provides for developing a freight station at Sidi Ichou (15 Km north of Kenitra), close to the industrial zone as part of relocating goods-oriented sites to the periphery of the city.