Rehabilitation of the train line between Damascus and Jordan after years of suspension.

The General Manager of the Public Authority for the Hejaz Railway, Mohammed Al-Ajmi, revealed that the railway line extending from the Jordanian border to the Qadam station in Damascus is still not ready for operation at the present time due to technical and administrative obstacles that have accumulated over the years. The institution has suffered from years of corruption and neglect, with the train carriages not operating since 2004 despite large sums of money being spent on their maintenance, most of which were fictitious works that were not implemented in reality. The last train journey took place in 2010 before the line stopped due to bridges being bombed and the Jordanian side ceasing train operations to Syria in the same year. Since then, no real maintenance has been carried out despite allocated budgets with huge amounts remaining unutilized, leading to the deterioration of the railway infrastructure, especially with the loss of essential track components. Approximately 40 kilometers out of the total 132 kilometers between Damascus and the Jordanian border have been damaged, with significant difficulties in securing materials and parts for this type of railway due to its technical nature and age. The institution is currently working on preparing a maintenance plan to launch workshops starting from Damascus, followed by station maintenance gradually, focusing first on the tracks and then the stations. Currently, the line is only designated for transporting goods, and the completion date for maintenance and operation depends on the availability of suitable security, technical, and financial conditions. If these conditions are met, the line can be prepared from the Jordanian border to the Qadam station within a year and a half. However, the institution will not be able to operate Syrian trains on the line in the near future, as it will only be available for Jordanian trains or through later leasing or purchasing of locomotives, with no precise cost estimation currently available as it is linked to the completion of maintenance works. Al-Ajmi pointed out that developing the line is currently not possible due to its narrow gauge, and it cannot be updated unless the railway in Jordan is also developed, as the specifications between the two countries are identical, and any modernization project must be comprehensive and compatible among the Arab countries through which the Hejaz Railway passes. Regarding operating the line to Zabadani, he explained that it is not possible due to problems in the tunnels within Damascus, in addition to the absence of economic feasibility, although there is a possibility of using the line later for tourism purposes if repaired. As for the suburban train project, he denied the existence of any current offers, whether from internal or external sources, for its implementation, despite its significant importance, affirming that the institution supports this project for its role in reducing travel time if based on a modern strategy.