Service outages in Riyadh decreased by 25% thanks to the efforts of the Infrastructure Center
The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center announced a significant achievement in the construction and public services sector, recording a 25% in service interruptions and encroachments on underground infrastructure assets. This improvement encompasses water, energy, telecommunications, and other vital networks, reflecting the success of new strategies implemented in managing urban projects in the capital.
Digital transformation and data governance
This achievement is a direct result of the development of the infrastructure management system, where modern technologies played a pivotal role in this transformation. The center explained that the launch of the geospatial verification service for infrastructure assets had the greatest impact in enabling contractors and implementing agencies to accurately identify the locations of existing networks before commencing any excavation work. This service relies on a unified, centralized geospatial database, harmonized in collaboration with more than 17 government and service entities , to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the information.
Urban development context and Vision 2030
This achievement cannot be separated from the broader context of the comprehensive urban development Riyadh is witnessing, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. With the increasing pace of major projects such as the "Green Riyadh" initiative, the metro network, and massive residential and commercial developments, the need to regulate excavation and utility extension work has become urgent. Previously, haphazard excavation often resulted in damage to electrical cables or water pipes, causing financial losses and disrupting residents' lives. The center has successfully addressed this issue by enhancing the efficiency of pre-planning.
Economic and social impact
This decrease in disruptions carries significant economic and social implications. Economically, reduced disruptions translate into substantial savings in emergency maintenance and repair costs, as well as faster project completion without unexpected delays. Socially, this improvement directly contributes to the Quality of Life Program , ensuring the continuity of essential services for citizens and residents and mitigating traffic congestion caused by emergency excavations, thus enhancing Riyadh's appeal as a sustainable and progressive urban environment.
Enhancing safety and reliability
The center affirmed that these efforts are part of its transformative initiatives to enhance data accuracy and support decision-making prior to field implementation. These measures primarily aim to raise safety standards at work sites, protect national assets, and minimize field conflicts and unintended damage, thus establishing a new phase of operational efficiency in the infrastructure sector of the Saudi capital.
