The Doha Metro is part of the EUR27bn Qatar Integrated Rail Programme (QIRP), which also includes: the EUR2.13 bn Lusail City LRT, 38.8 km with 36 stations to be completed in 2016; the EUR2.1 bn West Bay people-mover, a 10 km dual-track, single-bore tunnel with 19 underground stations, linking the new Doha Convention Centre with the West Bay area; a high-speed passenger line; and a 340 km freight rail line.

Qatar Railways Company signed five contracts at a total cost of EUR314 million to signal the beginning of the phase 1 of the state’s integrated railways project within the first quarter of 2013.The Qatar integrated railways project will incorporate a metro system and a long-distance passenger travel and freight transport network.

The US firm Jacobs Engineering Group secured the contract to manage the metro's Red Line; the consortium Louis Berger (USA)/Egis Rail (France) secured the contract to manage the Gold Line and main stations; and Hill International Company has received a four-year EUR9.7 million contract to provide project management services in connection with construction of the Green Line/Phase 1; Porr (Austria)-Saudi Binladin Group (SBG)-HBK Contracting (local) consortium won a EUR61 million contract to provide site facilities, civil structures and remove utilities in preparation for the tunnelling and major stations packages; and Britain's Lloyd's Register won a contract for independent safety assessment worth EUR11.7 m.

Phase 1 of the QIRP involves construction of 76.3 km including 53.3 km of underground lines in single bore tunnels and 26 stations, expected to be complete by October 2019 and to be operational for FIFA World Cup 2022. The contract to undertake design on tunnelling work will be awarded in the first quarter of 2013, Click here for the network map and here for Qatar Railways Company presentation. Click here for more on the project. 41/12.