By Edmund Bower
Giza, Egypt – October 15, 2024 – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi officially opened the new Upper Egypt Railway Station in Bashteel, Giza, on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in Egypt’s ongoing effort to revitalize its aging rail network. The station is designed to accommodate up to 250,000 passengers daily across its 11 platforms, alleviating congestion at Cairo’s central Ramses Railway Station.
The opening coincided with the first passenger train arrival and the inauguration of 19 other transport infrastructure projects across the country. The four-storey station, built by Hassan Allam Holding Company, is touted to be four times larger than Ramses Station and includes a shopping center, a mosque for 500 worshippers, and facilities for 55 buses and microbuses.
President Sisi announced an investment of approximately EGP 2 trillion ($41 billion) aimed at upgrading Egypt’s rail system, which has faced criticism due to a history of fatal accidents. Recent years saw a notable decline in serious incidents, with a nearly 80% reduction in such events between 2022 and 2023, though train accidents still claimed 694 lives last year.
During his address, President Sisi emphasized the importance of modernizing the railway system to support Egypt’s tourism ambitions and attract foreign investment. He also vowed that those responsible for a recent collision in Upper Egypt, which resulted in two fatalities and 20 injuries, would face severe consequences.
The newly inaugurated projects also include the construction of pedestrian bridges, vehicle overpasses, and significant upgrades to major railway lines and signaling systems. The third phase of the long-awaited Cairo Metro Line 3 is also underway, signaling a comprehensive approach to enhancing Egypt’s transport infrastructure.
