23 March 2024
The Minister of Transport Eng. Kamel El-Wazir handed over on Saturday in the presence of Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal, Head of the Transport Committee of the House of Representatives Alaa Abed, member of the House of Representatives and Head of the General Authority for Roads, Bridges, and the National Tunnels Eid Hammad, and the supervising consultancy offices of the project contracts for the new housing units as compensation to those affected by the route of the first line of the high-speed rail network (Sokhna/Alamein/Matrouh) in the Kafr El-Alou in Helwan district, after conducting a public draw for these units.
Contracts for a total of 109 new housing units were delivered as a first phase out of 226 bought by the Ministry of Transport from the Ministry of Housing for the benefit of those affected by the route of the first line of the high-speed rail network.
The lottery draw and delivery of new housing units’ contracts come as part of coordination between the Ministries of Transport and Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, and the Cairo Governorate to provide several Fully furnished housing units with complete facilities, with an area of 90 m2 in the Zohour area in May 15 district as alternatives to informal settlements conflicting with the route of the electric high-speed rail project.
At the beginning of his speech, Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir conveyed the greetings of President Sisi, who always directs that no citizen should be harmed by the implementation of any national project and that no citizen should be evicted from their home without being compensated with the appropriate financial compensation estimated by government authorities, or urban and safe compensation with all the necessary services and that what happened here today, as we have two examples in Kafr El-Alou, where we are proud to be present among its residents. Some were compensated with financial compensation according to their preference, while others were compensated with housing units in a civilized and urban neighborhood in the May 15 district.
Wazir added that when we planned the electric high-speed rail project that will represent a significant developmental leap for Egypt, we considered a set of factors, including studying the environmental impact ahead of the economic feasibility studies to choose a route that has no impact on citizens' lives. We will also redesign this area to transform it into a civilized area with all kinds of services instead of being an unplanned area, aiming for it to become a distinguished social and civilized area that serves the citizens.
There is another directive from President Sisi that those who have the appropriate qualifications from the residents of Kafr El-Alou and have been compensated will have priority in obtaining a job at the new electric high-speed rail project after its completion. That has been the government's approach since 2014, supporting citizens under the leadership of President Sisi.
Wazir emphasized the importance of the electric high-speed rail network project as a mega developmental project, serving as development arteries for urban and new industrial areas, tourist areas, and new agricultural areas, and creating logistical axes linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, as well as the north and south of the country, connecting industrial areas (production areas) with seaports, and linking modern agricultural development areas with consumption areas and export ports.
For his part, Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal emphasized President Sisi’s directives that no harm should come to anyone during the implementation of national projects, noting that today's ceremony confirms the state's credibility and keenness on the interests of citizens.
Abdel Aal praised the efforts made by the Ministry of Transport to overcome all obstacles for the swift commencement of the project’s phase in Helwan district. He also commended the role of the residents, their understanding of the importance of the project, and their cooperation with state authorities.
Abdel Aal added that social distancing was considered during the public lottery to uphold the principles of transparency and fair distribution. Ground floor and upper floor units were allocated for people with disabilities, elderly persons, and those with chronic diseases.
Source: Media Department, Cairo Governorate
