More than a year to wait. While the preparation for the 2022 World Cup, whose first matches begin on November 21 in Qatar, has been punctuated by scandals around the stadium construction sites, Doha, the country’s capital, has been completely transformed by the floods, construction sites and traffic jams that dominate the city.
Doha knows ofs sporadic episodes of heavy rains in November and December, when the World Cup will take place. Problem, the roads and sidewalks, lacking a drainage system, are flooded, the work having only started a few days ago. “Many roads in Doha have been built without a proper drainage system, so every time it rains they get flooded“Says a source informed of the work. According to her, the authorities”rush now“to install drainage, even on long-finished roads.
Qatar has earmarked 3.9 billion riyals (approximately 947 million euros) in the 2021 budget for “the development of drainage stations, water treatment plants, pumping and rainwater evacuation networks in several regions to prevent flooding due to rain”, according to the authorities.
Doha is not spared from traffic jams either. Journeys that previously lasted a few minutes now take dozens, arousing the exasperation of motorists. “Doha has become a building site. We drive in the middle of the work. And it will last until the World Cup“, notes a young Qatari, worried that his country is not completely ready for the winter of 2022, when it must host one of the most anticipated global sporting events.
“In the old town, it is normal to have to redo everything. But this is new, they didn’t think about it 20 years ago … Customers don’t like to wait“, laments Mohammed, a taxi driver, who weaves his way between construction sites at the foot of the glittering skyscrapers of Doha’s business district. Qatar has spent billions of dollars on its ultra-modern metro system, but ridership is currently limited to migrant workers, and despite the first-class wagons, the majority of Qataris and Western expatriates prefer to use the roads in their vehicles.
Ashghal, a member of the public works authority, says Qatar’s main roads are almost 100% ready to connect “the eight stadiums with a fast road network that avoids any traffic jam for users“.”These roads are also connected to metro and bus stations as well as shopping malls for World Cup fans.“, specifies Salem al-Chawi, deputy director of road works within this authority.
In the city of Doha, the works have been completed at about 70% according to him, assuring that they had started a long time ago “with regard to urban development” and of “the rapidly growing population“.”This work, by definition, takes time during the design period and during the implementation period. We understand that drivers are suffering, but we want to make sure this work is completed in time for the World Cup.“, he underlines. In the meantime, the inhabitants of Doha are patiently taking their troubles.