Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) and a consortium of China’s Avic International and China Railway Group signed, in Cairo on August 15, a USD 1.24 billion contract for the construction of an interurban light rail line to the east of Cairo. Egyptian prime minister Sherif Ismail attended the event.
Under the agreement signed with Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT), China’s AVIC international and China Railway Group will build a 66-km network with 11 stations, on which trains will run at speed of up to 120 kilometres per hour to Cairo’s surrounding districts
The 66km 11-station line will connect Cairo with El Obour City, El Shorouk City, Badr City, and 10th of Ramadan City.
The line is forecast to carry around 340,000 passengers per day, reducing traffic on the Cario – Ismailia highway by around 30%.
NAT general director Tarek Gamal al-Din said construction will begin within the next three months.
Egypt is a key partner for China in its “One Belt, One Road” initiative that aims to build transport and trade links between Europe and Asia. Chinese state firms, as a result, have been aggressively chasing projects abroad.
Photo: http://news.xinhuanet.com
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