KUWAIT: The Ministry of Communications is collecting bids for the potential railway project; a process that is expected to take 3 months according to the department's minster. The ministry will then proceed with the project, as outlined by the Cabinet's development plan, reported Al-Qabas. Its structural chart has already been adopted by the Kuwait Municipality and the Municipal Council.

The Minister, Dr Mohammad Al-Busairi, spoke at an event to commemorate the former State Ministers for Parliament Affairs and stressed the significance of the upcoming phase regarding the development process. He also asserted the importance of reinforcing the culture of development within Kuwaiti society.

Al-Busairi addressed Kuwait's postal service and indicated that, according to the plan listed in the government's work program, the postal service will be privatized and turned into a shareholding company. The private company will have 24 percent of its shares owned by the government, 26% owned by the private sector and 50% shared publically.

The Ministry of Public Works(MPW) is currently focusing on executing three major development projects, namely the Boubyan Island development project, the Failaka Island development project, and the Khairan City project, to ensure their timely implementation.

The third and final phase of the Boubyan Island development project, scheduled for a 2023 finish, will end with the expansion of 24 docks, said the Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary for Major Projects Sector, Adel Al-Turkey. The project is currently in its second part of the first phase. Tenders to establish 16 docks at a total cost of KD 330 million are also under discussion.

The Ministry is also coordinating with the Environment Public Authority (EPA) to discuss the structural chart of the Failaka Island development project. The Ministry has completed infrastructure-related works for three more of the Khairan City's blocks, while projects to construct roads, power, water and sewage plants have also been finalized.

In another development, the EPA has received information from the Ministry stating that the Mishref sewage plant, which has been out of service since August 2009, will be restored shortly.

Meanwhile, the head of the Industrial Environment Department at the EPA has assured that sewage waters are being treated biologically and chemically before being flown into the sea. Pollution levels are being closely monitored.

Mohammad Al-Enizi further asserted the safety of drinking waters treated at water desalination plants. He indicated that international experts were consulted to carry out a study on the environmental effects that result from pollution, reported Al-Watan.

On the subject of factories that violated norms, Al-Enizi indicated that factories that were temporarily shut down due to environmental violations could face another suspension should they fail to commit to environmental standards. - Kuwait Times