Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) No. Syrian Arab Republic The Master Plan Study on the Development of Syrian Railways in the Syrian Arab Republic Volume II Feasibility Study on The Rehabilitation/Modernization of Tartous, Homs and Al-Sharqia Section Final Report (Summary) August, 2001 Japan Railway Technical Service (JARTS) SSF JR Yachiyo Engineering CO., LTD. (YEC) 01-120 (5/6) Exchange Rate of Currency 1 US$ = 46 Syrian Pounds 1 US$ = ¥115 1 Syrian Pound = ¥2.5 January, 2001 PREFACE In response to a request from the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Government of Japan decided to conduct a Master Plan Study on the Development of Syrian Railways in the Syrian Arab Republic and entrusted the study to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA selected and dispatched a study team headed by Dr. Sadaaki Kuroda of Japan Railway Technical Service, and consist of Japan Railway Technical Service and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd. to the Syrian Arab Republic, 3 times between April 2000 and August 2001. In addition, JICA set up an advisory committee headed by Mr. Hiroshi Saeki, Director, Environmental Office, Railway Bureau, Ministry of Transport (present Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) between April 2000 and August 2001, which examined the study from specialist and technical points of view. The team held discussions with the officials concerned of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and conducted field surveys at the study area. Upon returning to Japan, the team conducted further studies and prepared this final report. I hope that this report will contribute to the promotion of this project and to the enhancement of friendly relationship between our two countries. Finally, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the officials concerned of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic for their close cooperation extended to the Team. August 2001 Kunihiko Saito President Japan International Cooperation Agency August, 2001 Mr. Kunihiko SAITO President Japan International Cooperation Agency Dear Sir, Letter of Transmittal We have the pleasure of submitting herewith our Report for the Master Plan Study on the Development of Syrian Railways in the Syrian Arab Republic. The report describes the results of the Study carried out by Japan Railway Technical Service and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd., as per the contract with Japan International Cooperation Agency. The Study Team conducted field surveys three times during the period from April 2000 to August 2001. The Team held sufficient consultations with the Syrian governmental agencies concerned regarding the results of the field surveys and study activities in Japan, and drew up a master plan for the rehabilitation and modernization of the nationwide railway for the year 2020; phased rehabilitation and modernization plans for 2005 (short term), 2010 (medium term), and 2020 (long term); and two plans, as short-term urgent projects, on the rehabilitation and modernization of Tartous, Homs and Al-Sharqia section and on the locomotive workshop modernization. In close coordination with the Syrian side, the Team thereafter studied the feasibility of these plans from technical, environmental, economic, and financial aspects, and drew up this report. From the standpoint of reinforcing the transport infrastructures necessary for the social and economic development of Syria, we would like to recommend the early implementation of the two projects: rehabilitation and modernization of the railway section between Tortous, Homs and Al-Sharqia; and locomotive workshop modernization. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Japanese Embassy and JICA Office in Syria for the kind assistance and guidance extended to us in executing the Study. Yours faithfully, Sadaaki KURODA, Dr. Eng. Leader The Study Team for the Master Plan Study on the Development of Syrian Railways in the Syrian Arab Republic TURKEY Old Qamishli New Qamishli Qahtaniyya Midan Ekbas Sbate Tel Alo Kabaka R8 Al-Yaroubiye Rajo Joban Bec Qatma Siha Afrin Arrai R1 Tel Rifaat Akhtarin Workshop & Depot Hassaka d Muslimia a Workshop & Depot in m r t h R7 b la A Sabah al-Kheir Aleppo u B h l k J e i T he R6 R3 S a Ansari d d e a a o y n i F a q m Wudehi b a n s n a q r b s a a a h a a Rumeilan a r l a l i B n a K m H d u e - i a R d u S l a o d a o A m H T d r K a l N8 r Sad Frat u a e n Hamidia J a b b f Abu Fas a m a j a l h h Thawra m a l r d Bibar K s a K i i u E a h a M a B o k y y i M i i Maarret Ikhwan Bir Juwaief Sheikhana g a r Abu Dhour s i a d b o s a F i s i a n q l r As-Safkoun h d i e a A r a a s s n l d a Q G H Z Latakkia - a Al-Kabir E N5 bu l K A A S l- (Passenger) r l- A Al-Jazira s Sinjar Sharbit i A Lattakia J (Freight) Hamdania Miheimida a d Jabla r a R2 Deir el-Zor (Freight) h Deir el-Zor West El-Sin u Qoumhana (Passenger) M SYRIA Baniyas R4 Al-Jaula SEA Deir el-Zor Hama (Passenger) Al-Tabiye Marqia Kabajeb Kafar Buhom N3 Roueisa h Al-Mayadin a Judban m a Har Buhom a a s Tartous J As-Sukhna n Ghranuj MEDITERRANEAN a Samariya m h Sneisel m K Tel Kalakh - U l Arak Kharbettin Al-Bahra Akkari A N1 Homs 1 Al-Maslakha Homs 2 Shinshar Tadmor R5 Qatina Khnefis N6 Al-Quseir n Saqqar Noamia a i Al-Bukamal il te e a a a y id r m ri r ra Abtar u a a y m Mhine - R Q B a l l- l- s -Ha A A A B a l N l- jw A A a Al-Sharqia F l- O A N Bir Ghdir A R5 B Sargaya E Khanat L N4 R2 N7 a t Ard-Elzor a s a n r a o m r d b u a IRAQ A a Dmeir D H K Damascus E.Power Station Qatana Baharia Trkmania Damascus Legend Kiswa (Freight) Ghbagheb Border Sanamein GESR Line (Gauge 1,435) Mahaja N2 Sheikh Meskin Dael GESR New Line (Planning) Al-Himmah n u u iz a Z Daraa GEHR Line (Gauge 1,050) Bosra Railway Network JORDAN Tartous Samariya Akkari Tel Kalakh Umm Jaamah Al-Khansa Kharbettin Homs Shinshar Khnefis Noamia Mhine Route of the Project Al- Barida Al-Rumeila Al- Sharqia Al-Qariyatein Al-Bsayra Al-Fajwa Al-Hamra Near by 5km The Master Plan Study on the Development of Syrian Railways in the Syrian Arab Republic Volume Ⅱ The Feasibility Study on the Rehabilitation/Modernization of Tartous, Homs, and Al Sharqia Section 【Executive Summary】 Study Period ： April 2000～August 2001 Accepting Organization： Ministry of Transport(MOT) General Establishment of Syrian Railways (GESR) 1. Objective of the Study In this study, railway rehabilitation and modernization plans (improvement plans) are drawn up, in order to ensure safe and stable railway transport between Tartous, Homs, and Al Sharqia. Then, comprehensive evaluation is made concerning the feasibility of these improvement plans from technical, environmental, economic, and financial aspects. At the same time, technology transfer to Syrian-side counterparts is carried out, through the implementation of the study. 2. Methods of the Study (1) Process of the Study ① At first, a master plan for the rehabilitation and modernization of GESR was drawn up. In the master plan, 13 projects for the rehabilitation and modernization of existing facilities were set up together with 9 projects for new line construction, as projects of GESR. ② Then, respective projects were evaluated and given priorities, and phased improvement plans were drawn up based on priorities in consultation with the Syrian side. ③ Based on the results of the evaluation of respective projects and the consultations with the Syrian side, the railway rehabilitation and modernization project between Tartous, Homs, and Al Sharqia was selected as a short-term urgent project, together with the locomotive workshop modernization project. Then, it was decided to implement feasibility studies on each of these projects. 1 (2) Methods of the Study ① In this study, the basic policies of the master plan formation were followed. At first, collection of supplementary materials and information was carried out in Syria together with a supplementary field reconnaissance. ② Based on the collected materials and information and the results of the field reconnaissance, various data were analyzed and arranged. Thereafter, railway rehabilitation and improvement plans between Tartous, Homs, and Al Sharqia were drawn up. Then, comprehensive evaluation was made concerning the feasibility of the improvement plans through economic and financial analysis, and the report was compiled based on the study results. 3. Outline of the Project 3.1 Project Outline and Optimum Plan Selection This project covers the route of about 270km running from Tartous (an important port for import and export) to Al Sharqia (with phosphate ore mines) via Homs and Mhine. For this route, the project aims at the rehabilitation and modernization of the existing track facilities, electric facilities and so forth; as well as the new construction of signal stations and double tracking for the smooth operation of trains which will be increased to cope with the growth of demand.