Ashghal, the Public Works Authority of the State of Qatar, is the government agency responsible for the planning, design, procurement, construction, delivery, and maintenance of all infrastructure and public buildings in Qatar. Established in 2004, Ashghal oversees a portfolio of projects encompassing expressways, local roads, drainage and stormwater management systems, sewerage networks, wastewater treatment plants, and public buildings including schools, healthcare facilities, and government offices. The authority’s work constitutes the physical foundation upon which Qatar’s economic and social development depends.
Road and Expressway Network
Ashghal has delivered a transformative expansion of Qatar’s road network, converting the country’s transportation infrastructure from a system adequate for a small city-state into a modern expressway network capable of supporting a rapidly growing population and economic base. Major expressway projects have connected Doha to the North Field industrial complex at Ras Laffan, to Hamad International Airport, to Lusail City, and to population centers across the country.
The Expressway Program, one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in Qatar’s history, constructed orbital and radial expressways that dramatically improved traffic flow and reduced journey times across the Doha metropolitan area. These projects were delivered in anticipation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup but serve permanent transportation needs that extend far beyond the event.
Local road improvement programs address secondary and tertiary road networks, improving accessibility within residential and commercial areas. These programs include road resurfacing, intersection upgrades, pedestrian facilities, and landscaping elements that enhance the quality of the urban environment.
Drainage and Stormwater Management
Qatar’s flat terrain and arid climate present distinctive drainage challenges, particularly during occasional heavy rainfall events. Ashghal has invested in stormwater drainage infrastructure to protect developed areas from flooding, including large-diameter trunk sewers, pumping stations, and surface drainage channels. This infrastructure protects property, ensures road safety during rain events, and reduces the economic disruption caused by flooding.
The drainage program incorporates treated sewage effluent reuse for irrigation, connecting wastewater management to water conservation objectives. This integrated approach to water management reflects the environmental development pillar’s emphasis on sustainable resource use.
Sewerage and Wastewater Treatment
Ashghal operates and expands Qatar’s sewerage network and wastewater treatment infrastructure. The authority manages wastewater treatment plants that process domestic and commercial effluent to standards suitable for discharge or reuse. Treated sewage effluent is utilized for landscape irrigation and district cooling, reducing demand on desalinated freshwater supplies.
The continuous expansion of sewerage networks to newly developed areas ensures that urbanization is accompanied by adequate wastewater infrastructure, preventing the environmental and public health consequences of inadequate sanitation.
Public Buildings
Ashghal delivers public buildings including schools, health centers, civil defense stations, and government administration facilities. The authority manages the complete project lifecycle from design through construction to handover, applying quality standards and project management practices developed through its extensive infrastructure portfolio. School construction programs have been particularly significant, supporting the expansion of educational capacity required by population growth and the human development pillar of QNV 2030.
Role in Qatar National Vision 2030
Ashghal’s contribution to QNV 2030 is cross-cutting. Infrastructure enables economic development by facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services. It supports social development by delivering the schools, healthcare facilities, and public spaces that communities require. It addresses environmental development through drainage, wastewater treatment, and the reuse of treated effluent. Virtually no element of the National Vision can be realized without the physical infrastructure that Ashghal is mandated to deliver.
Strategic Outlook
As Qatar’s major construction programs associated with the World Cup and the initial phases of national development reach completion, Ashghal’s focus is shifting toward infrastructure maintenance, asset management, and the delivery of projects associated with the next phase of urban development. The authority’s ability to maintain the quality of existing infrastructure while continuing to deliver new capacity will determine the durability of Qatar’s infrastructure investment.