Workers have begun laying tracks for Egypt’s first high-speed railway in the desert east of Cairo, aiming to modernize transportation by connecting the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea. The project, dubbed the Green Line, is expected to be completed by 2026, transporting passengers and cargo across 660 kilometers in just three hours. Described by the Transport Minister as a “new Suez Canal on rails,” it is part of a broader initiative under President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s administration, which includes various megaprojects like the new administrative capital.
The Green Line, a collaboration with Germany’s Siemens costing $4.5 billion, will be the first of three planned high-speed lines, anticipating to serve 1.5 million passengers daily. The existing railway system suffers from significant issues, with nearly 200 accidents reported last year.
The line will connect cities like Ain Sokhna and Marsa Matrouh, passing through satellite cities around Cairo, and is expected to transport 15 million tons of cargo annually. Despite challenges, proponents believe the line will encourage urban development and alleviate congestion in Greater Cairo, although some workers express doubts about its long-term utility for local residents. Future expansions include the Blue and Red Lines, enhancing the rail network further across the country.
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