The Minister of Transport is on an extensive tour of the work sites for the first line of the high-speed electric train network project. 27/05/2026 | 07:46 AM
Minister of Transport Conducts an Extensive Two-Day Inspection Tour of Work Sites on the First Line of the High-Speed Electric Rail Network (Sokhna / El Alamein / Marsa Matrouh) from Sokhna Station to Alexandria Station
In implementation of the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to ensure continuous follow-up on the High-Speed Electric Rail Network project, and within the framework of monitoring the execution of the Sokhna / Alexandria Logistics Corridor — which consists of (Sokhna Port – the first line of the High-Speed Electric Rail Network – the Tenth of Ramadan Dry Port – the “Robiki / Tenth of Ramadan / Belbeis” railway line – Greater Alexandria Port) — Lieutenant General Eng. Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport, continued his inspection tours to follow up on ongoing projects.
Over the course of two consecutive days, accompanied by Eng. Wagdy Radwan, Deputy Minister for Electric Traction and Rail Transport, along with the heads and leadership of the General Authority for Roads and Bridges, the National Authority for Tunnels, and the project consultant, the Minister inspected work sites on the first line of the High-Speed Electric Rail Network (Sokhna / El Alamein / Marsa Matrouh), which extends over 660 km, specifically along the section from Sokhna Station to Alexandria Station.
The tour began with an inspection of the track connection extending from Sokhna Station to Ain Sokhna Port, spanning approximately 6 km. This connection links the port to the first line of the High-Speed Rail Network to facilitate freight transportation to and from the port through the rail system. The Minister then inspected various project stations to follow up on the completion of station finishing works, passenger flow plans from each station’s main entrance to ticket halls, movement between platforms, and the availability of elevators to facilitate passenger mobility. He also reviewed plans for the optimal administrative and investment utilization of all spaces within the stations.
The Minister directed that the service roads running parallel to the route be completed, so that the internal service roads could be utilized for basalt ballast laying and the installation of sleepers and rails, while the external service roads would serve residential communities and agricultural areas. He further stressed that all access roads leading to the stations should remain open and serve all traffic directions, in order to facilitate passenger access to the stations from all directions.
During his inspection of the Giza Interchange Station for the high-speed rail and diesel railway systems — considered one of the key stations along the first line of the High-Speed Electric Rail Network — the Minister explained that the station represents an advanced and unique engineering model being implemented for the first time in Egypt. The high-speed rail line passes above the existing diesel railway lines, making the Giza High-Speed Rail Station an elevated station with all platforms situated overhead, while station services are located beneath them to ensure direct integration and interchange between the high-speed electric trains and diesel trains. This facilitates passenger movement between different transportation modes without requiring passengers to leave the station premises, while also supporting the integration of the modern transportation network with existing transit systems to achieve the highest levels of service and efficiency for passengers.
The Minister also reviewed the construction and implementation works of the first-line depot, which is being established over an area of 578 feddans and is considered one of the largest and most important train maintenance and operation centers in the region. The depot will operate the network’s three lines, conduct both major and minor overhauls of trains, and store all types of rolling stock with a capacity of 50 trains and locomotives. The facility includes 46 buildings. In addition, the Minister reviewed the route sections that have been handed over to the consortium of Siemens, Orascom, and Arab Contractors for basalt ballast laying, rail installation, and erection of electric catenary poles, after which electromechanical works and the installation of various systems will be carried out. He also reviewed the sections where rail installation has already been completed in the East Nile, West Nile, and Northern sectors.
Throughout his extensive tour, the Minister followed up on the implementation status of all civil engineering works associated with the project, where substantial progress has been achieved and numerous structures have already been completed. During the inspection, the Minister affirmed that the engineering works executed along the route represent remarkable achievements by Egyptian companies, embodying the skill and expertise of Egyptian workers and engineers who continuously accomplish extraordinary feats and deliver outstanding technical and engineering innovations every day. Among these achievements is the completion and construction of the massive Al-Khor Bridge over the Wadi Degla ravine, which extends 600 meters in length, rises 90 meters in height, and measures 14 meters in width, in addition to the East Nile and South Helwan bridges crossing above the Nile River.
The Minister of Transport also met with a large number of engineers and workers involved in the project, conveying to them the greetings and congratulations of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the occasion of the approaching Eid Al-Adha holiday, as well as the President’s great confidence in their ability to complete this mega project, which represents a tremendous leap forward in Egypt’s transportation sector. This comes especially as the Egyptian state, represented by the Ministry of Transport, continues implementing a comprehensive plan to expand environmentally friendly and sustainable green mass transit systems that keep pace with the technological advancements witnessed globally in the transport sector.
During the tour, the Minister stressed that the implementation of the High-Speed Electric Rail Network embodies a monumental achievement being carried out on Egyptian soil, as it will connect all parts of the Republic together. He noted that the completion of the first line of this network will establish a land connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, effectively creating a “new Suez Canal on rails.” The Minister also extended Eid Al-Adha greetings to all project workers and thanked them for their tremendous efforts in implementing this giant project.
He further pointed out that the High-Speed Electric Rail Network represents a transformative leap in sustainable green mass transportation, as it provides a safe, fast, and environmentally friendly mode of transport that contributes to reducing reliance on conventional transportation methods, lowering fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and supporting the state’s orientation toward green transformation and commitment to sustainable development goals, in line with the National Climate Strategy and Egypt Vision 2030.
The Minister added that the importance of this project extends beyond the transportation sector to encompass comprehensive economic and developmental dimensions, as it contributes to supporting industrial development through improving supply chain and transportation efficiency, attracting local and foreign investments, creating direct and indirect job opportunities, supporting urban development and linking new areas with existing cities, enhancing Egypt’s tourism sector, and strengthening Egypt’s position as a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit trade.
It is noteworthy that the High-Speed Electric Rail Network currently under implementation consists of three lines with a total length of 2,000 km. The first line (Sokhna – El Alamein – Marsa Matrouh) extends 660 km and includes 21 stations and a central control and operations center. The line will also include 15 high-speed trains, 34 regional trains, and 14 freight locomotives