Egypt and France Set Timeline for Cairo Metro Line 6 Development

Cairo, Eqypt (Metro Rail Today): In a significant step forward for the Cairo Metro Line 6 project, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Engineer Kamel el Wazir, signed a working schedule with French Ambassador to Cairo, Éric Chevallier, on December 13, 2024. The agreement outlines the next steps for the much-anticipated metro expansion, marking a continued collaboration between Egypt and France in the transport sector.

The signing ceremony highlighted the longstanding, strong ties between the two nations, particularly in the realm of railway transportation development. Minister el Wazir emphasized the importance of this partnership, noting that the agreement sets a clear timeline for French consulting firm Egis/SETEC to submit technical specifications for the civil systems and works to Egypt's National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) for review. Once these specifications are finalized, French multinational Alstom will present its technical and commercial offer, which will then be assessed by the Egyptian government. Monthly meetings will be held under the Ministry of Transport's leadership to ensure the project stays on track.

Cairo Metro Line 6 is designed to ease congestion on the city's existing metro lines. The 38.6 km line will run parallel to Metro Line 1, connecting the Al-Khosoos area in the north to New Maadi, with further extension to the Warsha Omra area in the south. The line will feature 26 stations and provide interchange connections with Metro Line 1 at Demerdash and Tora Al-Balad stations, Line 3 at Abbassia station, and Line 4 at Sayeda Aisha station.

In addition, the Minister revealed that a study is underway to extend the line to New Cairo, where it would link to the first line of the high-speed electric train at M. Naguib Station and connect with the East Nile Monorail at El Narges Station, further enhancing transportation options in the region.

The meeting also addressed Alstom's progress on establishing a massive industrial complex in Borg El Arab. The 66-acre facility will house two factories: one for manufacturing electrical systems and railway components such as signals and control panels, and another for producing rolling stock, including metro, LRT, monorail, and high-speed trains. This project is expected to meet local market demands, facilitate exports to the Middle East and Africa, and create thousands of job opportunities.

This agreement follows the 2022 Climate Change Conference, during which Alstom signed a framework agreement with the National Authority for Tunnels to design, build, and maintain Cairo Metro Line 6, underscoring the project's critical role in improving Egypt's transportation infrastructure and supporting sustainable development.