Najma Street works to ‘hit key bus routes’

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff ReporterThe operations of a number of key Mowasalat bus routes are likely to be affected for the next 45 days due to the closure of a stretch of Najma Street connecting C-Ring Road and D-Ring Road.From today, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) will implement a temporary closure on Najma Street from the Al Mansoura intersection (Gulf Cinema signal) to Al Nuaija intersection (The Mall signal), in both directions. This is being done to complete works to convert the roundabout at Woqod petrol station into a signalised intersection and add a third lane to Najma Street between the two intersections.As a result, buses operating on routes 10, 11 and 12, as well as circular routes 49 and 94, will now be run through alternative routes. The first three are considered particularly busy routes with reasonably high frequencies and a large number of passengers, especially No 11, it is understood.According to sources, bus No 10 goes from the Doha Bus Station to Al Thumama via Najma and Al Mansoura, No 11 goes to Mathar Qadeem via Najma and LuLu Hypermarket (D-Ring Road) and No 12 goes to the Religious Complex in Mesaimeer via Al Mansoura and the Medical Commission. All three, along with 49 and 94, pass through the Al Hilal area along the affected stretch of Najma Street.It is learnt from Mowasalat that the transport company is working out alternative route plans for the three services through roads lying to the east of Najma Street so that passengers’ difficulties could be minimised.One of the alternative routes being considered is through a road starting from near the Gulf Times office, in Al Hilal off C-Ring Road, going directly to the signal near LuLu on D-Ring Road, it is learnt. However, the onward routes for buses from the intersection are still being planned, it is understood.Answering a query, the official said services on routes 10, 11 and 12 were expected to be hit particularly hard even though the two circular services (49 and 94) also used the same stretch of Najma Street. He said alternative routes for the two services were being worked out as well.Already, there are reports that road works in several other areas have affected bus services there.