Photo by: Bloomberg
French multinational Alstom has been awarded a €100-million contract by the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) to supply signalling equipment for a 240-km-long railway line between Beni Suef and Asyut, in Egypt.
Delivery of the contract, which also included maintenance for five years, would start in 2016 with the system due to be operational by January 2019.
Alstom would provide ENR with a new electronic interlocking system – replacing the existing electromechanical system – as well as trackside equipment, power supply and a telecommunications system.
The introduction of the new signalling system would increase the number of trains in circulation on the network by more than 80%.
Financed by the World Bank and launched by Egypt’s Ministry of Transport, Alstom said the project was part of an initiative to modernise signalling systems along the entire ENR network, enhance operation and increase the level of safety to match international standards.
“We are pleased to have been awarded this major project, which will significantly increase traffic on the line, while ensuring higher system availability and greater safety,” commented Alstom Transport Middle East and Africa VP Gian-Luca Erbacci.