As many as 4,821 projects are being implemented in the Riyadh region at the cost of SR509 billion, local media said quoting a report released by the project follow-up unit of the Higher Commission for Development of Riyadh (HCDR).

According to the HCDR report, housing and general services sector captured the lion’s share of the region’s total projects at 1,944 projects, or 43 percent.

Key projects include a housing plan for Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) staff and another housing project at the IT & Communication City, both in Riyadh, a conference center at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), and Kharj housing project.

On the other hand, the public utility sector captured 20 percent of the total projects, or 899 projects. They included the construction of the 12th power plant, rain water disposal project Riyadh, opening and improvement of Wadi Sulai bed, and Irqa power plant and its connection to the national grid, the report said.

Projects of the educational service sector reached 795, or 18 percent of the region’s total projects, which included construction of academic buildings at Imam Mohamed bin Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (Riyadh) and other provinces.

Meanwhile, the number of road and transport projects reached 479, or 11 percent of the region’s total projects such as the North-South Railway and some of highway roads in the city of Riyadh. The health service projects stood at 279 projects or six percent, the report said.

Projects related to economic development sector reached 116 projects, or two percent of the region’s total projects. Key projects included the construction of 45 multi-use towers at KAFD, Riyadh Hilton Hotel project and development of the second stage of the industrial city in Sudair and Kharj.

Projects of the Riyadh city captured 1,409 or 29.2 percent of the region’s totals costing SR291 billion. Key projects included King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project in Riyadh (metro and buses) and Terminal 5 Project and facilities at King Khaled International Airport (KKIA), the report said.