The larger of the two packages, called infrastructure-1, covers the construction of a 3,300-cubic-metre-a-day sewage treatment plant, fresh water storage tanks and stormwater drainage, water and irrigation networks. The contract also includes the construction of access roads, overall landscaping and the installation of 132/11-kV substations and 132-kV overhead transmission lines. Six companies are prequalified to price the estimated KD 25 million ($83 million) contract.

A similar number of companies are prequalified to bid for the infrastructure-2 package. Estimated to be worth KD 10 million ($33 million), it calls for the construction of internal roads and landscaping and the installation of 110-kV transformer stations, communications lines and ducts in blocks 2, 3 and 7. Both packages will take about 30 months to complete.

A team of the local Gulf Consultand the UK's WS Atkins Internationalhas carried out the design work for the proposed development, which will be constructed in phases.

Under phase 1, housing units and infrastructure facilities will be built for 13,000 residents. The township, when completed, will be home to 250,000 people. Al-Khiran is located near the border with Saudi Arabia and is being built to relieve the pressure on housing in Kuwait City.

The client is the Executive Authority for the Development of Kuwaiti Islands, Divided Zones & Major Projects.