Cairo - Seham Abu Zeina
Egypt’s Assistant Minister of Transportation Amro Shaath said that the Egyptian government aims to establish the fourth stage of the Metro project using only Egyptian resources, as soon as possible, saying that the goal is to complete the 14-kilometer project using only Egyptian hands, equipment and companies.
He pointed out that previously we used to fund such major projects from international institutions, but, in this case, the government will provide the funding, depending on bank loans. He added that the project will cost LE 30 billion, adding to the equipment cost of LE 13 billion, meaning the price of the metro tickets has to be increased at least three times the current price, the president added.
He added that he will be responsible of monitoring this project and deciding whether they are ready to start working on it. He thanked the Egyptian armed forces for executing the tunnels of Ismailia project according to the deadline.
He said that the NAT and the consortium will sign the financial contract at end of December, after which construction will commence in the Haram area. He also revealed that the NAT has identified the route of an electric train connecting Cairo’s al-Salam area with the new administrative capital east of Cairo through 11 stations.
Five companies, including Arab Contractors, Orascom, Petrojet, Rowad Group, Public Nile Company for Roads & Bridges, will carry out the electric train’s infrastructure works during two years, He added. He clarified that the construction of the electric train’s infrastructure will commence in January 2018, at a total cost of US $ 1.2 billion.