Mohamed Abdulmohsin Kharafi & Sons has submitted a low bid of KD 27.9 million ($92.7 million) for the first package. Its offer is about 13 per cent lower than the next quote of KD 31.5 million ($104.6 million) submitted by Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading Company.

Called infrastructure-1, the contract covers the construction of a 3,300-cubic-metre-a-day sewage treatment plant, fresh water storage tanks and stormwater drainage, and water and irrigation networks. It also includes the construction of access roads, overall landscaping and the installation of 132/11-kV substations and 132-kV overhead transmission lines. Four companies priced the package.

For the second package - infrastructure-2 - five companies submitted prices. Consolidated Contractors Company (Conco) has submitted a low bid of KD 20.4 million ($67.8 million), followed by Copri Construction Enterprisesat KD 27.6 million ($91.6 million).

The contract 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 (MEED 16:8:02).