Minister of Transportation Kamel El Wazir inspected on May 4 the commencement of the civil works of Egypt’s first monorail project, linking between Greater Cairo and the New Administrative Capital (NAC), which is set to be implemented over 24 months, Invest-Gate reports.

During the tour, El Wazir also witnessed the allocation of companies’ sites at the project’s area and the beginning of the arrival of the necessary equipment for contractors to start operating immediately, according to a recent ministerial statement.

Mobile units will be supplied within 16 months and several Egypt-based construction firms will carry out all civil works, including the establishment of stations, piers, tunnels, installation of iron bars, amongst others, the minister revealed.

Besides, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) will implement the monorail’s signal, communication, and control systems, and will also supply 22 air-conditioned electric trains to start operation after the project’s completion, he added.

The monorail’s final route extends from Adly Mansour station in 10th of Ramadan City to Obour City, Mostakbal City, El Shorouk City, Badr City, NAC, passing through Saad El Din El Shazli Axis, which intersects with Alawi Bridge.

Meanwhile, Transport Advisor to Housing Minister Sami Abuzaid said at a meeting, held on May 1 to review technical, financial, and investment assessment of Egypt’s under-development railway projects, that the government is studying the development of another 42-kilometer monorail project in 6th of October City, connecting east and west Cairo together, to serve and cope with the rapid development of new cities.