The inspection tour focused on the first line of the high-speed electric rail network, which will link the Ain Sokhna Port on the Red Sea to El Alamein and Matrouh on the Mediterranean. The Minister visited a section of the line stretching from the South Helwan area to the New Administrative Capital.
According to a statement from the Transport Ministry, Al-Wazir
also reviewed progress on two major bridges: the South Helwan Bridge, a
2.52-kilometer structure over the Nile, and the 2.72-kilometer East Nile
Bridge.
The projects are part of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's
broader directives to expand sustainable transport options and develop the Ain
Sokhna-Alexandria logistics corridor, which includes the high-speed rail line
and major ports.
Minister Kamel El-Wazir hailed the country's new high-speed
electric rail network as a new Suez Canal on rails.
During an inspection tour, he directed contractors to
expedite work on the projects while maintaining high-quality standards. The Minister's
visit included a review of finishing work at key interchange stations in Cairo,
Mohamed Naguib, and the New Administrative Capital, which will connect with the
existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.
The Minister also inspected several major engineering works,
including the Khor Bridge, a 600-meter-long, 90-meter-high structure over the
Wadi Degla valley. According to the ministry, the bridge is a great epic and an
example of the miracles performed by Egyptian engineers and workers.
The first line of the new network will link the Red Sea and
the Mediterranean, a connection Al-Wazir described as a new land-based Suez
Canal.
Egyptian workers and engineers chanted "Long live
Egypt", thanking President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for the massive
infrastructure projects that provide thousands of job opportunities for youth
and achieve comprehensive development. They pledged to continue their achievements.
The Minister was briefed on the executive status of all
industrial works in the project where four of 16 planned track bridges and 16
of 55 car bridges have been completed.
The minister was also updated on the delivery of materials and equipment, with 388 kilometers of track handed over to the Siemens-Orascom-Arab Contractors consortium for installation. The first regional train, manufactured in Germany by Siemens, arrived in Egypt months ago, and the first high-speed Velaro train is expected to arrive in September.