Egyptian president instructs establishment of new seaport

CAIRO – 6 June 2021: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi convened Sunday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and Minister of Transportation Kamel al-Wazir to follow up on under-progress projects in the sector instructing the introduction of a new seaport.

With regard to roads, the ministry has embarked on a project to introduce intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in Greater Cairo's highways. The first phase is being implemented in seven roads extending over a total of 1,187 kilometers, while the second will consist of 14 roads stretching over 5,000 kilometers.

The ministry is also developing the Ring Road linking Greater Cairo's neighborhoods together. However, there is a special focus on the section of the road lying in Maryouteya as it is connected with the Middle Ring Road and the Provincial Ring Road extending to other governorates, particularly those of Upper Egypt.

In that context, the president instructed seeking the opportunity of expanding and developing such roads to upgrade the services and utilities in the areas they pass through improving the quality of life of citizens.

It is noted that the development works of Maryouteya section of the Ring Road will also serve tourist attractions in Al Haram, Saqara, and Meit Rahina.

The president further added that the area occupied by unlicensed workshops must be cleared granting its owners others located in a complex built for that purpose away from residential areas. The chief of state set December as the deadline to accomplish the revamping of the Ring Road.

Axis roads being built in Cairo are Algeria Axis Road, which will serve the residents of Maadi and Basatin, and Marg Axis Road, which will serve the residents of Al Khousous, Al Marg, Al Alg, Al Khanka, and Abou Zaabal.  

The ministry is also developing roads in Upper Egyptian governorates, mainly Asyut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and the Red Sea within a plan to connect Upper Egypt with the Red Sea. The ministry is also implementing a road northern Luxor to link Luxor International Airport on the eastern bank of the Nile River with the archeological sites on western bank.

Going north, the ministry is enlarging the Wadi El Natroun-Alamain Road to encompass eight lanes in each direction.

In a different context, the minister presented what has been accomplished on the front of rehabilitating the railway sector. Simultaneously, the president urged improving the quality of human resources in the sector by providing training to current workers, and hiring qualified engineers and technicians and also training them abroad and at the educational institutions of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Sisi also stressed the importance of constructing Bashtil Train Station in accordance with the highest international standards. The construction of the station began in 2020 and is planned to finish in 2025.

The station spanning over 36 feddans is located next to Imababa metro station that is still under construction, and will be connected to the monorail linking 6th of October City with New Cairo City.

The station worth LE350 million will be completed over two phases. The first will take place over two years, and includes a complex of the workshops that will carry out the maintenance of railcars and train engines. The second will last for three years as it consists of five tracks, platforms, and a shopping mall.

The goal of establishing Bashtil Train Station is alleviating the load on Ramses Train Station, and serving Upper Egyptian passengers.

Finally, the president instructed establishing a seaport in Max between Alexandria Seaport and Dekheila Seaport.