Qatar, September 29, 2025
News Summary
The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has awarded 13 contracts worth QR12 billion covering major road and drainage operation and maintenance, intelligent transport systems, four building projects and extensive rehabilitation works. The package includes O&M of strategic roads across North and South Qatar, deployment of ITS, construction of three new schools and upgrades to 40 schools, refurbishment and expansion of the Psychiatric Hospital, and comprehensive modernization of the 150‑hectare Al Zubara Horse Breeding Farm. Projects will use AI asset management, drones, robots, digital twins and laser inspection to improve durability, sustainability and support local skills development.
Major infrastructure push: 13 contracts worth QR12 billion awarded for roads, drainage, schools, hospital and Al Zubara farm
The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced the award of 13 new contracts worth QR12 billion to upgrade road and drainage networks and to deliver public building works across the state. Work is expected to commence in October 2025, with drainage operation and maintenance works set to begin in Q1 2026. The projects are presented as a strategic step to boost sustainability, integration of infrastructure, and service quality under national development goals.
What was awarded and why it matters
The package covers major infrastructure projects nationwide, including development of road networks, operation and maintenance (O&M) of strategic roads in both North and South Qatar, and adoption of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). The announcements also include four building projects: construction of three new schools, improvement of safety systems in 40 existing schools, refurbishment of the Psychiatric Hospital of Hamad Medical Corporation, and renovation of the Al Zubara Horse Breeding Farm.
Timelines and contract lengths
Work is expected to commence in October 2025 for the newly awarded contracts, while Drainage networks operation and maintenance works are expected to commence in Q1 2026. The O&M period extends to five years for all projects except the ITS project, which has an O&M period of three years.
Advanced technologies and asset management
The contracts emphasize use of innovative technologies to run and maintain road and drainage assets. Road asset management will use an AI-based digital management platform, self-driving vehicles for asset surveys, laser technology to proactively detect and deal with road defects, and smart systems to monitor road conditions. Drainage O&M will increase reliance on robots and drones equipped with CCTV cameras, automation, digital twins, analytics to predict faults, smart control systems, and remote sensing technologies. The Enterprise Asset Management System (EAMS) will be enhanced and maintenance priorities will be identified based on risks and integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Road projects and local connectivity
Work to complete the highway network includes a link-roads project from Al Mazrooah to Al Attoriya and Bu-Thaila areas (zones 71 & 72) totaling 22 km. That link-roads project aims to connect surrounding residential areas directly to the highway network and to enhance connections with Al Shamal Road, Al Khor Road, and Dukhan Road via Al Majd Road. Another awarded project will provide a 6.5 km road network in the Al Karaana area with a 4.7 km internal road network to regulate traffic in the camel racetrack; the Al Karaana project also includes treated wastewater and irrigation networks totaling 17.5 km.
Schools, hospital and Al Zubara farm
The four building projects include construction of three new schools, modernization of 40 existing schools to meet latest Qatar Civil Defense standards, refurbishment of the Psychiatric Hospital of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and comprehensive rehabilitation of the Al Zubara Horse Breeding Farm. The three new schools are a preparatory school for boys in Mebaireek, a preparatory/secondary school for boys in Mesaimeer, and a model school for boys in Fereej Al Soudan. Implementation of the three new schools is scheduled to begin in Q4 2025, and Psychiatric Hospital implementation works are scheduled to commence in Q4 2025. The Al Zubara farm project is scheduled to begin in October 2025; the farm is on Al Shamal Road about 60 km north of Doha and extends over an area of approximately 150 hectares.
Quality, safety, and the contracting sector
Authorities stressed that projects will be implemented to high standards of quality and safety, using the latest technologies and equipment in operation and maintenance processes. Contracts were recently awarded to a group described as some of the world’s largest contractors. Officials underlined commitments to transparency, fair competition, and strict tender compliance, while warning against unrealistic pricing strategies that could destabilize the contracting sector.
Workforce development and sustainability goals
The programme includes steps to develop Qatari employees and promote knowledge transfer through specialized training. Drainage asset-management approaches are intended to contribute to environmental sustainability and climate-change adaptation. Projects are framed as contributing to national development goals by promoting sustainable infrastructure, improving efficiency, and extending the lifespan of road assets.
Private sector engagement
A special meeting was held with several owners and CEOs of contracting companies, attended by representatives from the private sector chamber and senior officials from the Authority. The meeting aimed to explore future directions of infrastructure and building projects and to strengthen public‑private partnership for delivery of strategic projects.
Expected outcomes
The combined package aims to improve the quality of services provided to citizens and residents, enhance road and drainage efficiency and capacity, support economic and agricultural activities in target areas, and prepare regions for future urban development in line with the state’s development plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many contracts were awarded and what is their value?
A: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) announced the award of 13 new contracts worth QR12 billion.
Q: When will the works start?
A: Work is expected to commence in October 2025 for the contracts. Drainage networks operation and maintenance works are expected to commence in Q1 2026.
Q: What is included among the building projects?
A: The awarded building projects include four building projects. The four building projects include: construction of three new schools, improvement of safety systems in 40 existing schools, refurbishment of the Psychiatric Hospital of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), renovation of Al Zubara Horse Breeding Farm.
Q: Which school projects are part of the awards?
A: Ashghal is supporting the education sector by constructing three new schools for boys in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The three new schools are: a preparatory school for boys in Mebaireek, a preparatory/secondary school for boys in Mesaimeer, a model school for boys in Fereej Al Soudan. Implementation of the three new schools is scheduled to begin in Q4 2025.
Q: What are the O&M durations?
A: The O&M period extends to five years for all projects except the ITS project, which has an O&M period of three years.
Q: What advanced technologies will be used?
A: The projects aim to operate and maintain road assets using innovative technologies, including: an AI-based digital management platform, self-driving vehicles for asset surveys, laser technology to proactively detect and deal with road defects, smart systems to monitor road conditions. For drainage O&M Ashghal aims to increase reliance on latest technologies and innovations in drainage O&M, including: robots and drones equipped with CCTV cameras to inspect assets, automation, digital twins, analytics to predict faults, smart control systems, remote sensing technologies.
Q: Where is Al Zubara Horse Breeding Farm and what size is it?
A: Al Zubara Horse Breeding Farm is described as one of the largest specialized farms in the world. The farm is located on Al Shamal Road, approximately 60 km north of Doha. The farm extends over an area of approximately 150 hectares.
Q: What are the link-road and Al Karaana project specifics?
A: As part of completing the highway network, Ashghal awarded a project to construct link roads from Al Mazrooah to Al Attoriya and Bu-Thaila areas (zones 71 & 72) with a total length of 22 km. Another project aims to provide an advanced road network in the Al Karaana area and implement integrated infrastructure within the project scope. Works in the Al Karaana project include construction of a 6.5 km road network to provide direct connection to Salwa Road and a 4.7 km internal road network to regulate traffic in the camel racetrack. The Al Karaana project includes treated wastewater and irrigation networks totaling 17.5 km.
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Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total contracts | 13 new contracts worth QR12 billion |
| General start date | Work is expected to commence in October 2025 |
| Drainage start date | Drainage networks operation and maintenance works are expected to commence in Q1 2026 |
| O&M duration | Five years for most projects; ITS O&M period of three years |
| Road technologies | AI-based digital management platform; self-driving vehicles; laser defect detection; smart monitoring systems |
| Drainage technologies | Robots and drones with CCTV; automation; digital twins; analytics; smart control systems; remote sensing |
| Building projects | Construction of three new schools; improvement in 40 existing schools; refurbishment of Psychiatric Hospital of HMC; renovation of Al Zubara Horse Breeding Farm |
| Al Zubara Farm | Located on Al Shamal Road ~60 km north of Doha; approx 150 hectares; rehabilitation begins October 2025 |
| Link-roads | Al Mazrooah to Al Attoriya and Bu-Thaila (zones 71 & 72) — total length 22 km |
| Al Karaana works | 6.5 km road to Salwa Road; 4.7 km internal road for camel racetrack; treated wastewater and irrigation networks totaling 17.5 km |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Gulf Times: Ashghal awards 13 contracts worth QR12 billion
- Wikipedia: Ashghal
- MEED: Qatar’s Ashghal awards $101m construction contracts
- Google Search: Ashghal construction contracts Qatar
- Zawya: Qatar expected to award schools contracts in Q1 2026
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Qatar education infrastructure
- MEP Middle East: Ashghal appoints KEO for major road supervision works in zones 71 & 72
- Google Scholar: intelligent transportation systems Qatar
- The Peninsula Qatar: Ashghal holds meeting with owners and CEOs of contracting companies
- Google News: Ashghal meeting contractors Qatar
Author: Construction TX News
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