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Baghdad Metro

Baghdad, Iraq

2017 - Ongoing

InfrastructureMobilityRailwayTransportation

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Project Description

Approach Words: Integrated City, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning

Baghdad Metro, also called Baghdad Elevated Train (BET),¹ is a public transportation project² and Iraq’s first elevated and automated “driverless” metro in the capital city of Iraq, which has a population of over 7 million people.³ Upon completing its various lines, the network will cover more than 85% of the city and its suburbs,⁴ with the capacity to transport nearly 5 million passengers daily.⁵ The project will connect central Baghdad with newer cities under implementation: Al-Jawahiri City to the west of Baghdad, Ali Al-Wardi City to the south of Baghdad, and New Al-Sadr City to the east of Baghdad.⁶

Through this project, the Mayoralty of Baghdad aims to accommodate the city’s increasing transportation needs⁷ and alleviate traffic congestion in the capital city⁸ caused by rapid growth.⁹ By decreasing the levels of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere caused by car exhaust emissions,¹⁰ the project seeks to enhance the city’s environmental quality.

Title: Baghdad Metro Lines Map.

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Title: Distribution of the Proposed 62 Station of Baghdad Metro.

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Title: A three-dimensional view shows an elevated section of Metro Baghdad.

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Title: Proposed Elevated Station for the Metro Project.

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Title: Baghdad Metro Lines Map.

Source: Click Here

Title: Distribution of the Proposed 62 Station of Baghdad Metro.

Source: Click Here

Title: A three-dimensional view shows an elevated section of Metro Baghdad.

Source: Click Here

Title: Proposed Elevated Station for the Metro Project.

Source: Click Here

The metro comprises a network of seven lines that cover a total distance of 148 kilometers, connecting all residential areas, key institutions, and landmarks, including Baghdad International Airport.¹¹ It will consist of 62 stations,¹² including underground, surface, and elevated sections;¹³ this enables the railway network to adapt to the diverse urban landscapes of the city. The seven proposed lines are as follows:

Green Line (19 Kilometers, eight stations): Al Alawi to Doura.¹⁴
Red Line (27.7 kilometers, eight stations): Al Alawi to Maisaloun Square.¹⁵
Blue Line (22 kilometers, seven stations): Al Shaab to Al Zuafaraniya.¹⁶
Purple Line (14.5 kilometers, eight stations): Al Tayaran Square to Al Shaab.¹⁷
Yellow Line (30 kilometers, eight stations): Al Baladiyat to Adan Square.¹⁸
White Line (23 Kilometers, eight stations): Al Kadhimiya to Al Bayaa.¹⁹
Airport Line (12 kilometers, seven stations): Baghdad Airport to Al Qadisiya.²⁰

The network will operate at speeds ranging from 80 to 140 kilometers per hour, employing an automated digital metro system powered by electricity and supported by various means of communication.²¹ Some sections of the railway network will also run through tunnels up to 20 meters deep to avoid conflicts with streets and other municipal infrastructure lines.²²

Owner/Developer (Public)

National Investment Commission

Mayoralty of Baghdad ²⁹

Consultant/Designer

HSS Engineers Berhad

Consultant HSS ³⁰

Funder

National Investment Commission ³¹

Mayoralty of Baghdad ³²

Contractor/Implementer

Mayoralty of Baghdad ³³

Owner/Developer (Public)

National Investment Commission

Mayoralty of Baghdad ²⁹

Contractor/Implementer

Mayoralty of Baghdad ³³

Funder

National Investment Commission ³¹

Mayoralty of Baghdad ³²

Consultant/Designer

HSS Engineers Berhad

Consultant HSS ³⁰

The project includes the development of four train maintenance workshops and depots, two control centers, and power facilities. Each train will feature a “gold class” carriage, a carriage dedicated solely to women and children, and a carriage for tourists. Each carriage will be designed to be accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.²³

The National Investment Commission and Mayoralty of Baghdad initiated the Project.²⁴ A consortium including the Malaysian company HSS Engineers Berhad and ConsultantHSS from UAE is responsible for designing the project master plan.²⁵
The project will be developed under the DBOMFT (Design, Build, Operate, Maintain, Finance, and Transfer) ownership model, with bids submitted in April 2024.²⁶ Twenty-six multinational corporations from China, India, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Qatar have shown interest in participating in the metro project’s execution.²⁷ The estimated total cost of the project is $2.5 billion.²⁸