Can modernization of Egypt’s railway network avert train accidents?
Egypt signed an agreement worth 145 million euros ($177 million) with the African Development Bank as part of its recent plan to improve its railway system to prevent crashes.
CAIRO — Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat signed an agreement May 23 with the African Development Bank for 145 million euros ($177 million) to help improve and further develop Egypt’s railway system.
According to a ministry statement, the agreement aims to boost the railway’s efficiency and safety by supplying the Egyptian Railway Authority with the European Train Control System Level 1 for 953 kilometers of main railway lines, including those connecting with Alexandria, Cairo, Assiut, Naj Hammadi, Banha and Port Said. The system will use sensors placed on engines, wagons and along rail lines.
This establishment of the high-speed electronic network linked to existing tracks is part of an effort to reduce the frequency of train crashes.
In the span of less than a month, Egypt witnessed five train accidents.
